Water has a high specific heat, approximately 4.18 J/g°C. Many other substances--for example, rubbing alcohol--have 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?

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.

Question

Water has a high specific heat, approximately 4.18 J/g°C. Many other substances--for example, rubbing alcohol--have 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?

 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.