Why specific heat

If you'd like to learn more about the specific heat of water at the molecular level, check out this video on the specific heat of water from Khan Academy. Looking at water, you might think that it's the most simple thing around. Pure water is practically colorless, odorless, and tasteless.

But it's not at all simple and plain and it is vital for all life on Earth. Where there is water there is life, and where water is scarce, life has to struggle or just "throw in the towel.

Water temperature plays an important role in almost all USGS water science. Water temperature exerts a major influence on biological activity and growth, has an effect on water chemistry, can influence water quantity measurements, and governs the kinds of organisms that live in water bodies. The people in the photo above are all experiencing different temperatures depending which part of the beach they are on.

Those in the water are most likely feeling cooler than those on the sand. This is due to the high specific heat capacity of water. In other words, the same amount of heat energy when applied to sand and water will increase the temperature of the sand. Skip to main content. Search Search. Water Science School. Specific Heat Capacity and Water. Heat Capacity and Water. Water Properties by Topic Learn more. Science Center Objects Overview Related Science Multimedia Water has a high specific heat capacity—it absorbs a lot of heat before it begins to get hot.

Below are other science topics associated with heat capacity and water. Date published: October 22, There are two derived quantities that specify heat capacity as an intensive property i. They are:. The following two formulas apply:.

The molar heat capacity of water, CP, is How much heat is required to raise the temperature of 36 grams of water from to K? We are given the molar heat capacity of water, so we need to convert the given mass of water to moles:.

Because water is such an important and common substance, we even have a special way to identify the amount of energy it takes to raise one gram of water by one degree Celsius—a Calorie. This is different from the kind of calorie we talk about in food. That kind of calorie is equivalent to 1, Calories, which is why food-related calories are also sometimes referred to as kilocalories, or kcals.

The specific heat of water is quite a bit higher than many other common substances. An electronegative atom is more likely to draw electrons to itself, because one side of the atom will have a partially positive charge and the other will have a partially negative charge. The opposite-charged sides are naturally drawn to one another, forming a weaker hydrogen bond. These bonds are also why liquid water has a high specific heat.

Any energy put toward heating water is split between breaking the bonds and heating the water. Because of this, it takes more energy to heat water than it does other substances. Because water has a high heat capacity, it requires more energy to raise the temperature by one degree. The sun puts out a more or less constant rate of energy, which heats up sand more quickly and water more slowly.

Sand has a much lower specific heat than water—that's why it gets hot so fast! Take a look at this table to familiarize yourself with some common specific heats according to both Joules and Calories, and compare those to what you know of how these substances heat up! Ready for more water-related science knowledge? Learn all about water-absorbing compounds appropriately named hydrates and the density of water. If the specific heat of water has you all fired up about chemistry, AP chemistry may be for you!

Check out this AP chemistry syllabus to learn more about what topics will be covered. Or maybe you're already in AP chemistry and you're looking for some tips and tricks for how to ace your exam. Check out this guide to the AP chemistry exam for everything you need to know!