Question

The specific heat of gold is 0.031 calories/gram°C and the specific heat of silver is 0.057 calories/gram°C. If equal amounts of each metal are exposed to equal heating, which will heat up faster?

Answer 1

Look at the units used for specific heat capacity. The number tells you how many calories are needed to change the temperature of 1 gram of substance by one degree C.

Once you understand this, you should be able to answer the question on your own.

Answer 2

Specific heat is the amount of heat it takes to raise the temperature by 1 degrees celcius.

Therefore, the lower the number for specific heat, the quicker it will heat.

Answer 3

Silver will heat up faster.