Select the correct answer.

The table shows the specific heat of four substances: brick, dry soil, paper, and water. If all four substances were exposed to sunlight for the same amount of time, which substance would heat up the slowest?

\begin{tabular}{|l|c|}
\hline
Substance & Specific Heat [tex]$\left(\frac{ J }{g^{\circ} C }\right)$[/tex] \\
\hline
brick & 0.9 \\
\hline
dry soil & 1.26 \\
\hline
paper & 1.336 \\
\hline
water & 4.18 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

A. water
B. dry soil
C. paper
D. brick



Answer :

To determine which substance will heat up the slowest when exposed to sunlight for the same amount of time, we need to look at the specific heat capacities provided in the table. Specific heat represents the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius. A higher specific heat means the substance will absorb more heat before its temperature rises.

Here are the specific heats given:

- Brick: [tex]\(0.9 \, \frac{J}{g \cdot {}^\circ C}\)[/tex]
- Dry Soil: [tex]\(1.26 \, \frac{J}{g \cdot {}^\circ C}\)[/tex]
- Paper: [tex]\(1.336 \, \frac{J}{g \cdot {}^\circ C}\)[/tex]
- Water: [tex]\(4.18 \, \frac{J}{g \cdot {}^\circ C}\)[/tex]

To determine which substance will heat up the slowest, we need to identify the one with the highest specific heat. Let's compare the specific heats:

- Water: [tex]\(4.18 \, \frac{J}{g \cdot {}^\circ C}\)[/tex]
- Paper: [tex]\(1.336 \, \frac{J}{g \cdot {}^\circ C}\)[/tex]
- Dry Soil: [tex]\(1.26 \, \frac{J}{g \cdot {}^\circ C}\)[/tex]
- Brick: [tex]\(0.9 \, \frac{J}{g \cdot {}^\circ C}\)[/tex]

Among these, water has the highest specific heat, [tex]\(4.18 \, \frac{J}{g \cdot {}^\circ C}\)[/tex]. This means water will absorb the most heat before its temperature increases, causing it to heat up the slowest compared to the other substances.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

A. Water