specific heat capacity

• What is internal energy?

  The total energy stored by the particles making up a substance or system
• What are the two main components of internal energy?

  Potential energy and kinetic energy
• What is the relationship between internal energy and temperature?

  Higher internal energy leads to higher temperature
• Why is kinetic energy important when considering temperature?

  Heating a substance increases the kinetic energy of its particles, increasing internal energy and temperature
• What is specific heat capacity?

  The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 °C
• How do the specific heat capacities of water and mercury differ?

  Water requires 4200 J/kg·°C, while mercury requires only 139 J/kg·°C
• What is the equation relating change in internal energy, mass, specific heat capacity, and change in temperature?

  $\Delta U =$$m c \Delta T$
• If 20 kJ of energy is transferred to 800 g of water initially at 20 °C, what is the final temperature?

  26.0 °C
• Why might the actual final temperature in the previous question be lower than the calculated value?

  Some of the energy would be lost to the surroundings, mostly in the form of heat
• What are the key terms and concepts related to the relationship between internal energy and temperature?

  • Internal energy: Total energy stored by particles in a substance
  • Potential energy: Energy due to position or state
  • Kinetic energy: Energy of particle motion
  • Temperature: Measure of average internal energy
  • Specific heat capacity: Energy required to raise 1 kg by 1 °C
  • Equation: ΔU = mc ΔT