What does thermal capacity (Q) refer to?

Understand the Problem

The question is asking for the definition of thermal capacity (Q) and presents four options related to thermal energy concepts. We need to identify which of the options correctly describes thermal capacity.

Answer

Thermal capacity is the amount of heat required to change an object's temperature, defined as Q = mCΔT.

Thermal capacity, also known as heat capacity, refers to the amount of heat required to change the temperature of an object by a certain amount. It is a measure of how much heat energy a material can store when heated or release when cooled. The equation for heat capacity is usually expressed as Q = mCΔT, where Q is the amount of heat added or removed, m is the mass of the substance, C is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the temperature change.

Answer for screen readers

Thermal capacity, also known as heat capacity, refers to the amount of heat required to change the temperature of an object by a certain amount. It is a measure of how much heat energy a material can store when heated or release when cooled. The equation for heat capacity is usually expressed as Q = mCΔT, where Q is the amount of heat added or removed, m is the mass of the substance, C is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the temperature change.

More Information

Thermal capacity is an important concept in thermodynamics and materials science, helping to understand how materials respond to changes in temperature. It's crucial in designing systems for heating and cooling in various engineering applications.

Tips

Confusing heat capacity with specific heat capacity is common. Remember, heat capacity refers to an entire object, while specific heat capacity is per unit mass.

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