Arrange the following elements in ascending order according to its molar specific heat?

(a) Carbon

(b) Silver

(c) Lead

(d) Aluminium

The correct answer is (a), (d), (b) & (c).

Key Points

• The molar specific heat capacity of an element is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 mole of the substance by 1 degree Celsius.
• Carbon (Graphite) has a molar specific heat capacity of approximately 8.53 J/mol·K.
• Aluminium has a molar specific heat capacity of about 24.20 J/mol·K.
• Silver has a molar specific heat capacity of around 25.35 J/mol·K.
• Lead has a molar specific heat capacity of approximately 26.65 J/mol·K.

Additional Information

• Molar Specific Heat Capacity
  • The molar specific heat capacity is an intrinsic property of a substance that indicates how much heat is required to change the temperature of one mole of the substance by 1°C.
  • It is typically measured in units of Joules per mole per Kelvin (J/mol·K).
• Heat Capacity vs. Specific Heat Capacity
  • Heat capacity refers to the total amount of heat needed to change the temperature of a substance, irrespective of its amount or mass.
  • Specific heat capacity is the heat required to change the temperature of a unit mass of the substance by 1°C.
  • Molar specific heat capacity is specific to one mole of a substance.
• Factors Affecting Specific Heat Capacity
  • The specific heat capacity of a substance is influenced by its molecular structure and the type of bonding between its atoms.
  • For solids, the lattice structure and the types of atoms in the lattice significantly affect the specific heat capacity.
• Applications of Specific Heat Capacity
  • Understanding specific heat capacity is crucial in various fields such as chemistry, physics, and engineering.
  • It helps in designing thermal systems like heat exchangers, and in materials science for selecting materials based on thermal properties.