In this activity, you will discover the specific heat relationships among different substances: wood, copper, glass, silver, sodium, and water. Specific heat is the energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of substance by one degree celsius. Choose the amount of substance, and the length of time for the flame. This amount will need to remain constant as you change substances. Once you have chosen your amounts, click on the heat button. Record the final temperature for each substance on your data table. Reset the activity and choose another substance to heat.

Copy the following data table into your notes or print it out to fill it out by hand.
Data Table:

Substance Initial Temperature in °C Final Temperature in °C Amount of Energy Used in Joules (This should be the same value for each substance.)
Wood
20°C
    
Copper
20°C
    
Glass
20°C;
    
Silver
20°C
    
Sodium
20°C
    
Water
20°C
    

Write the substances in order from the one with the highest final temperature to the lowest final temperature.

Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

Check Your Answer
Silver, Sodium, Copper, Glass, Wood, and WaterClose Pop Up

How does the final temperature relate to the specific heat of the substance? If a substance has a higher final temperature, then the substance has a lower specific heat. It did not require as much energy to change the substance's temperature. If a substance has a lower final temperature, then the substance has a higher specific heat. It requires a great deal of energy to change the temperature of the substance.

Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required. Place each of the substances in order from highest specific heat to lowest.