To determine which substance would retain the most heat for the longest period of time, we need to consider the specific heat capacity of each substance. The specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius. A higher specific heat capacity means the substance can absorb more heat energy without a significant increase in temperature, which in turn implies it will retain heat for a longer period.
Let's list the specific heat capacities given:
- Al (s): 0.897 J/(g·°C)
- H₂O (s): 2.03 J/(g·°C)
- H₂O (l): 4.18 J/(g·°C)
The additional specific heat capacities from the table are:
- Cu (s): 0.385 J/(g·°C)
- Sn (s): 0.227 J/(g·°C)
- Pb (s): 0.129 J/(g·°C)
- Au (s): 0.129 J/(g·°C)
- Hg (l): 0.140 J/(g·°C)
Among these, the highest specific heat capacity is:
- H₂O (l): 4.18 J/(g·°C)
This means liquid water (H₂O (l)) has the highest specific heat capacity among the listed substances. Therefore, liquid water (H₂O (l)) can absorb and retain the most heat energy with minimal temperature change, and consequently, it would retain the most heat for the longest period of time.
