AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Specific heat capacity describes a “willingness” of the substance to change its temperature – the higher the specific heat capacity is, the less “willing” the substance is to change its temperature. Because the oil warmed more than the water, its specific heat capacity is lower compared to water.

Detailed explanation-2: -Water has one of the highest heat capacities with a value of 4.18J/g/°C. Cooking oil has a heat capacity of 2.2J/g/C while sand has a value of 0.48J/g/°C.

Detailed explanation-3: -The specific heat capacity is a physical property of the material a substance is composed of and can be used to help identify the substance the way density can help identify an incompressible substance like a solid or liquid.

Detailed explanation-4: -Oil specific heat capacity heat is not a constant. It depends on the temperature and is usually in the range of 1.67-2.5 kJ/kg׺.

Detailed explanation-5: -Water’s high heat capacity is a property caused by hydrogen bonding among water molecules. When heat is absorbed, hydrogen bonds are broken and water molecules can move freely.