Internal Energy & Specific Heat Capacity

• What concept relates internal energy to temperature?

  Specific heat capacity
• What is internal energy?

  Total energy stored by particles
• What are the two parts of internal energy?

  Potential energy stores and kinetic energy stores
• Which type of energy is important for temperature changes?

  Kinetic energy
• How does heating a substance affect its internal energy?

  It increases the kinetic energy of particles
• What does temperature measure in a substance?

  Average internal energy of the substance
• How much energy does water require to warm by one degree Celsius?

  4200 joules
• How much energy does mercury require to warm by one degree Celsius?

  139 joules
• What is specific heat capacity?

  Energy needed to raise temperature 1kg by 1 degrees Celsius
• What happens when a substance cools by one degree Celsius?

  It releases energy equal to its specific heat capacity
• What is the equation for change in internal energy?

  Change in internal energy = mass × specific heat capacity × change in temperature
• How do you convert grams to kilograms?

  Divide by 1000
• How do you convert kilojoules to joules?

  Multiply by 1000
• Why might the temperature not increase as much in real life?

  Some energy is lost to surroundings
• What precautions should be taken during the experiment to measure temperature changes?

  • Use a lid to minimize heat loss
  • Insulate the container well
• What are the key points about specific heat capacity?

  • Energy needed to raise temperature of 1 kg by 1°C
  • Varies between different substances
  • Important for understanding thermal properties