Specific Heat: Bond or Freedom of Degree Based, Or Size?

In summary, the factors that contribute to a substance having a higher specific heat include the number of degrees of freedom per atom, the number of atoms per mass, and the strength of the bonds. These factors can explain why substances such as ammonia and water, which have hydrogen bonding and are larger yet light polyatomic molecules, have high specific heats.
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hwall95
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Specific Heat: Bond or Freedom of Degree Based, Or Size??

Okay so I've been trying to understand what causes one substance to have a higher specific heat then other but I've read quite a few conflicting sources in which one says its due to the freedom of degree, while another says the weight of the atom, and then another says its due to the strength of the bonds. For example both ammonia in a solution (NH4+) and water have hydrogen bonding and both have high specific heats, but then they are both larger yet light polyatomic molecules.

So if anyone could shed some light and help me get my head around this, it would be much appreciated. Thanks Heaps :)
 
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More degrees of freedom per atom => higher specific heat
More atoms per mass (lighter atoms) => higher specific heat (expressed in J/(K*kg))
The strength of the bonds can influence the available degrees of freedom. For example, you cannot excite vibrations in N2 molecules at room temperature (in significant amounts), the required energy is too high. With other molecules, it can be possible to excite them.
 

1. What is specific heat and how is it related to bonds and degrees of freedom?

Specific heat is a measure of the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree. It is related to bonds because substances with stronger bonds require more energy to change their temperature, resulting in a higher specific heat. It is also related to degrees of freedom, as substances with more degrees of freedom (such as gases) have a higher specific heat compared to substances with fewer degrees of freedom (such as solids).

2. How does specific heat vary based on the size of a substance?

In general, larger substances have a higher specific heat compared to smaller substances. This is because larger substances have a greater amount of atoms and molecules, which require more energy to change their temperature.

3. Is specific heat the same for all substances?

No, specific heat varies depending on the substance. Different substances have different types of bonds, degrees of freedom, and sizes, all of which affect their specific heat.

4. Can specific heat be measured experimentally?

Yes, specific heat can be measured experimentally using a calorimeter, which is a device that measures the amount of heat absorbed or released by a substance. This can be done by heating or cooling the substance and measuring the change in temperature.

5. How can specific heat be used in practical applications?

Specific heat is important in many practical applications, such as determining the heating and cooling requirements for buildings, designing cooling systems for electronics, and understanding the behavior of materials in different environments. It is also used in cooking and food science to calculate the amount of heat needed to cook or chill foods.

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