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Specific heat capacity
from class:
General Biology I
Definition
Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius. It reflects how well a substance can store thermal energy.
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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Water has a high specific heat capacity, which helps regulate Earth's climate.
- Specific heat capacity is measured in joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/g°C).
- The high specific heat capacity of water allows it to absorb and release large amounts of heat with minimal temperature change.
- Specific heat capacity plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in biological organisms by stabilizing internal temperatures.
- Hydrogen bonding in water molecules contributes significantly to its high specific heat capacity.
Review Questions
- Why does water's high specific heat capacity help regulate Earth's climate?
- How is specific heat capacity measured and what are its units?
- What role does hydrogen bonding play in the specific heat capacity of water?
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