Specific Heats of Various Substances

Substance

Specific Heat

(cal/gram °C)

 Specific Heat

(J/kg °C)
water (pure)

1.00

 4186
wet mud 0.60 2512
Ice (0 °C) 0.50 2093
sandy clay 0.33 1381
dry air (sea level) 0.24 1005
quartz sand 0.19 795
granite 0.19 794

Note: 1 calorie = 4.186 joules (both are units of heat (energy))

 Q: Which has the highest heat capacity:

2 grams of pure water

4 grams of ice at 0 °C

10 grams of quartz sand   ANSWER

Q: Which will become warmer:

adding 10 calories to 1 gram of water

adding 10 calories to 1 gram of quartz sand  ANSWER

  • The difference in specific heats between land and water creates the sea breeze circulation