Question

A certain amount of heat is transferred to

2 kg of aluminum, and the same amount of heat is transferred to 1 kg of ice. Referring to Table 16-2, (a) is the increase in temperature of the aluminum greater than, less than, or equal to the
increase in temperature of the ice? (b) Choose the best explanation
from among the following:
I. Twice the specific heat of aluminum is less than the specific
heat of ice, and hence the aluminum has the greater temperature change.
II. The aluminum has the smaller temperature change since its
mass is less than that of the ice.
III. The same heat will cause the same change in temperature

Answer 1

The temperature increase of 2 kg of aluminum will be greater than that of 1 kg of ice when the same amount of heat is transferred to both, because the specific heat capacity of ice is higher than that of aluminum. The best explanation is that the lower specific heat capacity of aluminum allows it to undergo a larger temperature change with the same amount of heat.

Step-by-step explanation:

Temperature Increase in Aluminum and Ice

When the same amount of heat is transferred to 2 kg of aluminium and 1 kg of ice, the increase in temperature will not be the same due to their different specific heat capacities. The specific heat of ice is higher than that of aluminum, meaning ice can absorb more heat without changing its temperature as much as aluminum. Therefore, the increase in temperature of aluminium will be greater than that of ice, assuming no phase change occurs.

Explanation Choice

The best explanation between the provided choices is Option I, which states that "Twice the specific heat of aluminum is less than the specific heat of ice, and hence the aluminium has the greater temperature change." This is because the amount of heat required to change the temperature of a substance is directly proportional to both its mass and its specific heat capacity. Since aluminium has a lower specific heat capacity, less heat is needed to raise its temperature compared to ice.

Option II and III are incorrect because they suggest that the mass of the aluminum would lead to a smaller temperature change and that the same heat will cause the same change in temperature respectively, both of which are not true in the context of heat transfer and specific heat capacity.

Answer 2

The increase in temperature of aluminum is greater than the increase in temperature of ice due to the specific heat of the substances. Aluminum has a lower specific heat than ice, requiring less heat energy to raise its temperature by a certain amount.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this scenario, the increase in temperature of the aluminum is greater than the increase in temperature of the ice. The specific heat of a substance determines how much heat energy is needed to raise its temperature. Aluminum has a lower specific heat than ice, which means it requires less heat energy to raise its temperature by a certain amount. Therefore, even though the mass of the aluminum is twice that of the ice, the increase in temperature of the aluminum is greater.

The best explanation for this is Option I: Twice the specific heat of aluminum is less than the specific heat of ice, and hence the aluminum has the greater temperature change. Specific heat is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius. Since aluminum has a lower specific heat than ice, it requires less heat energy to achieve the same temperature increase.