HELP! Choosing Between Paraffin and Wood for Heat Storage

[laramman2]

HELP! Thermodynamics question

Homework Statement

Which would you chose between paraffin & wood to make heat storage? Why?
specific heat of paraffin = 2900 J/kgC
specific heat of wood = 1750 J/KgC2. The attempt at a solution

They say that the answer is paraffin but I don't know why. Could anyone help me to deal with this problem?

 

[Andrew Mason]

Homework Statement

Which would you chose between paraffin & wood to make heat storage? Why?
specific heat of paraffin = 2900 J/kgC
specific heat of wood = 1750 J/KgC


2. The attempt at a solution

They say that the answer is paraffin but I don't know why. Could anyone help me to deal with this problem?

For effective heat storage you want the temperature of the substance to decline as slowly as possible as heat is removed.

Paraffin is also good because it has a very high latent heat of fusion, so if you heat it above its melting point it will stay at same temperature (ie its melting point) for a long time as the heat flows out of it.

AM

 

[laramman2]

For effective heat storage you want the temperature of the substance to decline as slowly as possible as heat is removed.

Paraffin is also good because it has a very high latent heat of fusion, so if you heat it above its melting point it will stay at same temperature (ie its melting point) for a long time as the heat flows out of it.

AM

Thank you very much :)