Water has a high specific heat, approximately 4.18 J/g°C. Rubbing alcohol has a relatively low specific heat. If water and rubbing alcohol were both exposed to the same heat source, which one do you predict would heat up faster?

Question

Water has a high specific heat, approximately 4.18 J/g°C.  Rubbing alcohol has a relatively low specific heat. If water and rubbing alcohol were both exposed to the same heat source, which one do you predict would heat up faster?

anonymous · Answer

Rubbing alcohol: since it has a lower specific heat, it will not be able to absorb heat as quickly.

 Water: it can absorb more heat and can therefore reach a higher temperature.

 Water: the extra energy required to increase the temperature will also be used to make the process occur more quickly.

 Rubbing alcohol: less energy is needed to change its temperature, so the process doesn’t take as long.

anonymous · Answer

I thought it was the second one but I just want to be sure..