Question

Suppose there are two samples, one of air and the other of water, each having the same mass and an initial temperature of 0 degrees Celsius. Both samples are heated using sunlight with the same total amount of energy added. Which sample will reach a higher final temperature, T_final?

A. The air sample
B. The water sample
C. Both samples will reach the same final temperature
D. It's impossible to determine without additional information

Answer 1

Given the same mass and energy input, the air will reach a higher final temperature than water due to water's greater specific heat.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of this question is Physics, specifically within the area of calorimetry. The mass of the air and water samples are the same, and the total amount of energy added to each is equal. However, because water has a greater specific heat than air, it will undergo a smaller temperature change for a given heat transfer. This means that with the same energy input, the air sample will reach a higher final temperature (T_final) than the water sample. The water will absorb more energy for a given temperature change compared to the air, which is why water temperatures, such as in lakes, remain relatively stable throughout the day, despite large air temperature fluctuations.