Question

Give an example each where the high specific heat capacity of water is used:

a) in cooling.

b) as a heat reservoir.

Answer 1

1. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 g of water by 1 °C or 1 K is called the specific heat capacity (c) of water.
2. Specific heat capacity of Water = 1 Calg^-1 °C^-1.
3. Water has the highest specific heat capacity when compared to any other substance.
4. So, water is used as a coolant as well as a heat reservoir due to its slow absorption and release of heat.
5. In industries, cold water is used as a coolant for heavy heat-generating machines.
6. As a heat reservoir, the water is absorbing all the heat from the sun during the daytime and that same heat is released during the nights to keep land surfaces warm.