4.2.

1 Explain heat capacity,

C

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 Aim:
To investigate heat
capacity

Morning: A pail of water taken from the

pool
and placed next to the pool.

At noon: Temperature of both water are

different.

Reason:
Different heat capacity

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 Heat capacity, C of an
object is the quantity of
heat needed to raise the
temperature of the object
by 1 °C.

𝑪 𝑸 = Quantity of heat, J
=𝑸 ∆θ = Change in temperature,

𝑪 = Heat capacity, J oC-1

oC
∆θ

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 Determine heat
capacity:
1. When 2 000 J of heat is supplied to objects P and Q, object P
experience a rise in temperature of 1 ⁰C and object Q by 2 ⁰C.

(a) What is heat capacity of

(i) Object P? (ii) Object Q?

C= Q C= Q
Δθ Δθ
= 2 000 J = 2 000 J
1 °C 2 °C
= 2 000 J oC-1 = 1 000 J oC-1

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
(b)Compare heat capacity of P and Q.
Heat capacity P > heat capacity Q.

(c) Compare the rise in temperature of P and Q.

Rise in temperature of P < rise in temperature of Q.

(d)State the relationship between heat capacity of object

and rise in temperature.
Heat capacity of object increases, rise in temperature
decreases.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 Kettle Kettle 2. Kettle S and
S T kettle T are
switched on to heat
To Wate up water until it
power r boils.
supply

(a) Which kettle takes longer time to boil?

Kettle
(b) T Which kettle has higher heat capacity?
Kettle T
(c) State the relationship between heat capacity and mass of a
substance.
Mass of substance increases, heat capacity increases.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 Aim: To investigate daily situations which involve
heat capacity

1. Explain why a cup of hot coffee can cause

more injury
on a body than a drop of hot coffee.

A cup of hot coffee has a higher heat capacity

compared to a drop of hot coffee.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
2. Why the metal parts/dashboard of a car get hot faster
compared to the fabric cushion?

The metal parts/dashboard of a car has a lower

heat capacity compared to the fabric cushion.

The rise in temperature of metal

parts/dashboard is higher compared to
the fabric cushion.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
3. After being left to cool for some time, the soup in a large bowl
is hotter compared to the same soup in a small bowl.

❑ The soup in the large bowl has

a higher heat capacity.

❑ Thus, it’s temperature

drops/decreases slowly.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
4. Explain why the jam of a hot apple pie burns but the crust
can be eaten instantly.

We can touch the crust Heat capacity of pie

crust
is smaller compared to
apple jam.

The pie crust cools

down faster compared
to the apple jam which
is still hot.

Apple jam is very hot

OLEH CIKGU HASNITAH I SMK

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
4.2.2 Define specific heat capacity of a

c =
material, c

𝑸__

m∆θ
PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
  The sun heats up the sand
and sea water at the same
period.

 However, sand gets hot

quickly, and sea water
gets hot slowly.

WHY
PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
Concept of specific heat capacity.

Heat energy supply to the sand and sea water are equal.

Sand - Low specific heat capacity, absorb heat quickly, high rise
in temperature.

Sea water - High specific heat capacity, absorb heat slowly,

low rise in temperature.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 Aim:
To investigate specific
heat capacity

Water and cooking oil - same mass,

heated with the same amount of heat.

Observation:
Temperature of the cooking oil rises
faster than the temperature of water.

Reason:
Water and cooking oil have different
specific heat capacity.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
Which cubic needs large amount of heat
to raise temperature by 1 ⁰C?
Cubic A
1 kg of lead (Pb) requires 130 J of
heat while 1 kg of aluminium (Al)
requires 900 J of heat, to raise the
temperature by 1 ⁰C respectively.

❑ Different quantity of heat is needed to

raise the temperature by 1 ⁰C for two
cubics A and C even though their
masses are equal.

❑ Different substance has different

specific heat capacity.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 Specific heat capacity, c of a
substance is the quantity of
heat needed to raise the

c =
temperature of 1 kg mass of

𝑸 m(∆θ
the substance by 1 °C.

𝑸 = Quantity of heat, J
)
Q = m = Mass, kg

𝑪 = Specific heat capacity, J kg-

mc∆θ ∆θ = Change in temperature, ⁰C

1°C-1

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
Determine specific heat
capacity:
1. (a) What is the meaning of the
specific heat capacity of aluminium
is 900 J kg-1 ⁰C-1?
1 kg of aluminium requires 900
J of heat to raise its
temperature by 1 °C.

1. (b) What is the meaning of the

specific heat capacity of water is 4
200 J kg-1 ⁰C-1?
4 200 J of heat required to raise
the temperature of 1 kg water by
1 °C.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 2. Metal W has mass 2 kg. 3. How many joules of energy
Calculate the amount of heat are required to raise the
that must be transferred to temperature of 100 g of gold
the metal to raise the from 20 ⁰C to 100 ⁰C?
temperature from 30 ⁰C to 70 [ c = 129 J kg-1 C-1 ]
⁰C.
[ c = 500 J kg-1 ⁰C-1 ]
Q = mc∆θ Q = mc∆θ
Given; Given;
m = 2 kg = (2)(500) m = 0.1 kg = (0.1)(129)
∆θ = 70 - 30 ∆θ = 100 - 20
(40) (80)
= 40 ⁰C = 80 ⁰C
c = 500 J kg -1 = 40,000 J c = 129 J kg -1 = 1 032 J
⁰C-1 ⁰C-1

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
4.2.3 Experiment to determine:
(i) the specific heat capacity of
water
(ii)the specific heat capacity of
aluminum

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 Aim:
To determine the specific heat
capacity of water

Apparatus and
material:
Power supply,
immersion heater,
beaker, stopwatch,
thermometer,
retort stand,
electronic balance,
water and tissue
paper

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
Procedure:
1. Wrap a beaker with tissue paper.
2. Place the beaker on top of an electronic balance and reset
the reading of the balance to zero.
3.Fill the beaker with water until it is three-quarter full.
4. Record the reading of the mass of the water, m shown on the
electronic balance. Set up the apparatus as shown in figure.
5. Record the initial temperature of the water, θ1. Switch
on the immersion heater and start the stopwatch at the
same time.
6.Observe the change in the thermometer reading.
7. After five minutes, switch off the immersion heater.
Record the highest thermometer reading as the final water
temperature, θ2.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 36 W Analysis of data:
5 x 60 =
300 s Calculate the specific
heat capacity of water
0.42 kg
using the formula,
27.0 ⁰C c=
33.0 ⁰C Pt
m (θ2 –
 Heat supplied by Q = Pt θ1)
immersion heater, = 36 x
 Thus, specific
300
= 10 heat capacity of
 Heat absorbed by 800 J water,
Pt = mc∆θ
water, Q = mc∆θ 10 800 = 0.42 x c x
= 10 (33 – 27)
800 J c = 4 285 J kg-1
PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
Discussion:

1.Why does the beaker need to be wrapped with tissue paper?

Reduce heat lost to the surroundings.

2.Why the final water temperature, θ2 not taken as soon as the

five-minute
heating time ends?
To make sure thermal equilibrium between water and heater is
achieved.
3.Is the value of specific heat capacity, c gained from this activity
greater or smaller than the actual vale? Explain.
The value of c from the experiment is bigger than the standard
value.
This is due to heat lost to the surroundings.

4. Wrapping
PHYSICS the
FORM 4 KSSM beaker
DUAL with
LANGUAGE a better| CHAPTER
PROGRAMME heat insulating material
4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 Aim:
To determine the specific heat
capacity of aluminium

Apparatus and material:

Power supply, immersion heater,

stopwatch,1 kg aluminium block,
retort stand, cooking oil, and
tissue paper

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
Procedure:

1.Set up the apparatus as shown in figure.

2.Record the initial temperature of the aluminium block, θ1.
3.Switch on the immersion heater and start the stopwatch at
the same time.
4.After five minutes, switch off the immersion heater. Record
the highest
thermometer reading as the final temperature of the
aluminium block, θ2.
PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 Analysis of data:
50 W
5 x 60 = Calculate the specific
300 s heat capacity of
aluminium using the
1 kg formula,
27.0 ⁰C
c= Pt
42.0
Q =⁰CPt m (θ2 –
 Heat supplied by = 50 x θ1)
immersion heater, 300
 Thus, specific heat
= 15
capacity of
000 J aluminium,
 Heat absorbed by Q = mc∆θ Pt = mc∆θ
aluminium, = 15 15 000 = 1 x c x (42
000 J – 27)
c = 1 000 J kg-1
PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
Discussion:
1. What can be done to obtain a better thermal contact between
the bulb
of the thermometer
Adding and
oil into the hole ofthe
thealuminium
aluminiumblock?
block before
inserting the thermometer.

2. Given the standard value of specific heat capacity of aluminium

is 900 J kg-1 ⁰C-1 , compare the value of specific heat capacity of
aluminium, c, obtained from the experiment with the standard
value given. Explain the difference between the two values (if
any).
The value of c from the experiment is bigger than the actual
value, due to
heat lost to the surroundings.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
Safety precaution for Experiment 4.1
and
Experiment 4.2:

1. The position of the eyes must be

perpendicular to the scale of the
thermometer to avoid parallax error.

2. Put the beaker on a polystyrene

sheet to
prevent lost of heat to the
surrounding.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 4.2.4 Communicate to explain the
applications of specific heat
capacity in daily life, material
engineering and natural
phenomena

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
1. Selection building materials of traditional houses in various
climate zones

 Wood - High specific heat capacity, gets hot

slowly.

 Warm weather regions - traditional houses

built from wood, functions as an insulator of
heat from the scorching sun.

 Cold weather regions - traditional houses built

from wood which function as a good heat
insulator. Heat from fires lit in the wooden
houses cannot flow out.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 2. Cooking utensils

Metal Woks:
- Low specific heat capacity.
- Food cooks at high temperature in a short time.

Clay pots:
- High specific heat capacity.
- Food stays hot for a long period.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 Aluminium body:
• Low specific heat
capacity.
• The pot heat up quickly. Wooden/Polymer handle

Wooden/polymer Aluminium body

handle:
• High specific heat capacity.
• The handle of the pot gets hot
slowly.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 3. Cooling system of a car
engine

Water is used as coolant because:

(i)High boiling point - not change to vapour easily.
(ii)High specific heat capacity - can absorb a lot of
heat.
(iii)Abundant/economical – Cheaper/low cost.
Cooling mechanism:
1. The water is pumped into the engine block.
2. Water flows through the engine block and absorbs heat
produced.
3. Hot water flows to the radiator.
4. Cold air is sucked in by fans, while heat in the hot water
released through cooling fins.
PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 4. Outer layer of space capsule

Issue:
❑ Space capsule on its journey back to Earth
encounters air resistance when entering the
atmosphere.

❑ This friction increases the temperature, causes

the space capsule to burn.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 Solution:

Material of the outer later of the

space capsule:

(i)Has a high specific heat capacity.

Reason:
Temperature rise slowly.

(ii)Has a high melting point.

Reason:
Not burn easily at high temperature.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 5. Production of latest materials in the
construction of green buildings

Roof material:
Insulating concrete roof:
- Styrofoam boards with high
specific heat capacity.
The Diamond
Building
Reason:
Reduce absorption of heat from surroundings, reduce
temperature inside the building.
PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
6. Sea breeze Daytime:

Land has a lower specific heat capacity

compared to the sea.

Therefore, temperature on land rises

quickly.

Hot air on land rises upwards creates

Movement of
lower
cool air from pressure region.
sea towards
land Cold air from the sea moves towards land
as sea breeze.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
7. Land breeze At night:

Sea has higher specific heat capacity

compared to land.

Therefore, temperature of the sea drop

slowly compared to temperature on
land.

Hot air above the sea rises upwards

Movement of creates low pressure region.
cool air from
land towards
sea
Cold air above the land moves towards
the sea as land breeze.

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
4.2.5 Solve problems
involving specific heat
capacity using formula
𝑸=
mc∆θ

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
 CONVERSIONS OF ENERGY INVOLVING HEAT
Heat energy cannot be created. However, electrical energy,
potential energy and kinetic energy can be converted to heat
energy.

Electrical Heater Heat energy

energy Pt = mc∆θ
Power = P

Object falls
Potential Heat energy
energy from a high mgh = mc∆θ
position

Heat energy
Kinetic Object stopped
moving ½ mv² = mc∆θ
energy due to
friction

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
SPM’s CORNER:

(a Heat generated: (b Rise in temperature:

) )
Q = Pt Q = mc∆θ
= (1 000)(5 x 300 000 = (0.75)(4 200)(∆θ)
∆θ = 300 000
60)
(0.75)(4 200)
= 300 000 J
= 95.238 ⁰C
PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
SPM’s CORNER:

Heat absorbed by cold water = Heat released by

hot water Heat energy generated = Kinetic energy
m₁c∆θ₁ = m₂c∆θ₂ lost
(0.2)(c)(T - 40) = (0.8)(c)(100 - T) mc∆θ = ½ mv²
0.2T - 8 = 80 - 0.8T (m)(c)(50) = ½ (m)(200²)
T = 80 + 8 50c = ½ (200²)
= 88 ⁰C c = 400 J kg-1 ⁰C-1
PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
SPM’s CORNER:

Potential energy lost = Heat energy

gained
mgh = mc∆θ
(0.32)(9.81)(12) = (0.32)(128)
(∆θ)
∆θ = 0.9197 ⁰C

PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT
PHYSICS FORM 4 KSSM DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMME | CHAPTER 4 HEAT| 4.2 SPECIFIC HEAT