Question

What is the specific heat capacity of water?

• A. $1cal{g}^{-1}°C^{-1}$
• B. $4186J{g}^{-1}°C^{-1}$
• C. $4186kJ{g}^{-1}°C^{-1}$
• D. $0.04186J{g}^{-1}°C^{-1}$

Answer 1

The correct option is A

$1cal{g}^{-1}°C^{-1}$

The explanation for the correct answer:

Option A

1. Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of the unit mass of the substance by 1 degree Celsius.
2. The specific heat capacity of water is 1 cal g^-1°C^-1 which means that 1 cal of heat is required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of the substance by 1 degree Celsius.

The explanation for the incorrect answers:

Option B

Specific heat of the water in the C.G.S unit is $4.186J{g}^{-1}°C^{-1}.$Therefore, option B is incorrect.

Option C

Specific heat of water is $0.004186KJ{g}^{-1}{}^{0}C^{-1}.$ Therefore option C is also incorrect.

Option D

As mentioned earlier specific heat of the water is $4.186J{g}^{-1}°C^{-1}.$So Option D is also incorrect.

Hence, option A is the correct answer.