Specific Heat Capacity v Specific Latent Heat Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

What is the key difference between specific heat capacity and specific latent heat?

Specific heat capacity is the energy to raise 1 kg by 1 °C (temperature changes); specific latent heat is the energy to change the state of 1 kg with no change in temperature.

Which equation do you use for the energy transferred when water is heated from 20 °C to 90 °C?

$\Delta E = mc\Delta\theta$ — the temperature is changing with no change of state.

Which equation do you use for the energy transferred when water at 100 °C turns into steam?

$E = mL$ — a change of state at constant temperature.

True or false? A temperature change $\Delta\theta$ is needed to calculate the energy required to melt ice at 0 °C.

False. There is no temperature change during melting, so use $E = mL$.

True or false? Specific heat capacity and specific latent heat are both measured in J/kg.

False. Specific latent heat is in J/kg, but specific heat capacity is in J/kg °C.