Heat Absorption and Specific Heat Capacity

Heat Absorption

• Heat absorption refers to the rate at which materials absorb heat.
• Every substance absorbs heat at its own specific rate.
• Different materials need different amounts of thermal energy (heat) to increase their temperature by the same amount.

Specific Heat Capacity

• Specific heat capacity measures a substance's ability to hold or release heat.
• High specific heat capacity means more energy is required to change a material’s temperature.
• Specific heat capacity is measured in Joules per gram degree Celcius (J / g °C).
• Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it takes a lot of energy to change its temperature.

Water vs. Sand

• Water has a specific heat capacity of 4.19 J/g °C.
• Sand has a specific heat capacity of 0.66 J/g °C.
• It takes 4.19 J of energy to raise 1 g of water by 1°C.
• It takes 0.66 J of energy to raise 1 g of sand by 1°C.
• Less energy is required to heat sand compared to water.
• Sand on a sunny beach is hotter than shallow water because it requires less energy to heat up.

Climate and Specific Heat Capacity

• Water absorbs heat from its surroundings on hot days, lowering the warming of coastal areas.
• Water releases heat at night or in winter.
• Water has a higher specific heat capacity than rock, impacting coastal climates.
• Coastal areas like Vancouver and Victoria have moderate climates in the winter because of the water.

Conduction

• Conduction is the transfer of energy through direct collisions.
• Particles closest to a heat source absorb energy and move faster.
• Faster moving particles collide with neighbours, speeding them up.
• Heat spreads from particle to particle through collisions until particles move at the same speed.

Conductors

• Conductors are materials that allow easy transfer of heat.
• Good conductors have little space between particles making them highly dense.
• Metals and water are good conductors.

Insulators

• Insulators are materials that do not easily allow heat transfer.
• Insulators have a lot of space between particles.
• Air, plastic, and glass are good insulators.
• Insulation for buildings contains fiberglass, which combines glass fibers and air pockets.

Keeping Heat Contained

• In Canada, insulation is used to keep homes warm.
• Heat can escape through windows, doors, walls, and roofs.
• Insulation reduces heat transfer, keeping heat in on cold days and out on hot days.
• The effectiveness of insulation is measured by its R-value, with higher R-values indicating better insulation.
• The total R-value can be calculated by adding up the R-values of multiple materials.

More ways to keep heat contained

• Insulation fills wall cavities, to stop convection currents.
• Insulation creates pockets of trapped air that cannot move.
• Storm windows/doors also help to keep heat in.
• Double-glazing windows can be used, which contain two panes of glass with space between to keep heat in.
• Household examples of insulation include Thermoses, refrigerators, ovens, and oven mitts.

Vacuum Bottles

• Thermoses use several methods to keep water warm/cool.
• They feature insulated double walls, similar to double-paned windows.
• The gap between walls has most of the air removed, which decreases convection.
• Jars are painted silver to reflect heat.
• Joining parts are made of rubber or plastic.
• The cap is typically insulated to keep heat in.

Staying Warm

• On Dec 12, 2009 the temperature in Edmonton was -46°C and Feb 24, 2025 the temperature was -35°C
• Winter clothes use down feathers.
• Down feathers are small and fluffy which create large pockets of air.
• Down clothes keep air still, limiting heat transfer by convection.

Inuit Clothing

• Current cold-weather designs are inspired by Inuit clothing.
• On cold days, Inuit people wear two complete suits.
• The inner suit has fur and is worn against the body, allowing moisture to transfer through the fur and leather skin.
• The outer suit is a fur parka, protecting against the wind.
• Air is trapped between the two suits.
• Parkas are made larger to allow the person’s arms to be kept inside.
• A Parka hood traps air in front of the face, warming cold air before breathing.
• Multiple layers of clothing are worn on their feet.
• Seal skin is waterproof and was used for winter clothes.
• Inuit peoples in the North wear clothing crafted from caribou and sealskin due to their durability and availability.
• Caribou skin is a good insulator, as caribou hair is hollow and traps in heat against the body, also this makes the skin more buoyant in the water.

Staying Cool

• In hot places, people adapt clothing to keep themselves cool.
• To stay cool in the desert, light colours, light fabrics, and good air circulation helps.

Fire Fighters

• Fire Fighter suits are made of flame resistant materials, charring but not burning.
• The charred material acts as insulation against further burning.
• To avoid heat stroke, the material also absorbs moisture from the body to help keep the fire fighter cool.

Underwater Clothing

• Ocean temperatures can be as cold as those in winter.
• Underwater diving suits must be tight.
• Neoprene is a good insulator which is used for diving suits, it also contains nitrogen bubbles to increase the R value.
• Most cold water diving suits have a hood to limit heat lost through the diver's head,