Question

Identical heat lamps are arranged to shine on identical containers of water and methanol.

a) Water will absorb more heat
b) Methanol will absorb more heat
c) Both will absorb equal heat
d) Heat absorption depends on the lamps

Answer 1

Water and methanol will absorb equal heat.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, both water and methanol will absorb equal heat.

The reason for this is that substances with light atoms like hydrogen, such as water, have higher heat capacities compared to substances with heavier atoms, like metals. This means that water can absorb more heat for the same change in temperature compared to metals. However, the heat lamps are identical and are arranged in the same way for both containers of water and methanol. Therefore, both substances will receive the same amount of heat from the lamps.