WAEC 2010 Physics · Question 25

Specific heat capacity 36.4 Jkg-1 K-1 of a body means that when 36.4J of heat energy is supplied to a body of

Options

  1. A.mass 100kg the temperature rises by 1k
  2. B.mass 1kg, the temperature by 1000K
  3. C.mass 1kg, the temperature rises by 1K
  4. D.mass 100kg, the temperature rises by 1000k

Answer: C. mass 1kg, the temperature rises by 1K

Explanation written with AI and checked against the answer key

Analyze the question: The question asks what a specific heat capacity of 36.4 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ means in practical terms.

Concept: Specific heat capacity (c) is the quantity of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 K.

Formula: Q = mcΔθ

Solution:

Given c = 36.4 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ and Q = 36.4 J, we find the combination of m and Δθ that fits:

Q = mcΔθ 36.4 = m × 36.4 × Δθ mΔθ = 1

So the product of mass and temperature rise must equal 1 kg·K.

Check each option:

  • A. m = 100 kg, Δθ = 1 K: mΔθ = 100 ✗
  • B. m = 1 kg, Δθ = 1000 K: mΔθ = 1000 ✗
  • C. m = 1 kg, Δθ = 1 K: mΔθ = 1 ✓
  • D. m = 100 kg, Δθ = 1000 K: mΔθ = 100,000 ✗

Answer: Option C. Supplying 36.4 J to 1 kg of the body raises its temperature by 1 K.

Tip: Read "specific heat capacity" as "heat per 1 kg per 1 K". The word "specific" means "per unit mass", so the correct option will usually have 1 kg and 1 K. Whenever you're unsure, plug the values into Q = mcΔθ and check that mΔθ matches.

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