Sample interview questions: Discuss the concept of heat capacity and its relation to energy storage.
Sample answer:
Heat capacity is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics that describes the ability of a substance to store thermal energy. It quantifies the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a given substance by a certain amount. In other words, it measures the capacity of a substance to absorb and store energy in the form of heat.
The heat capacity of an object can be expressed in two ways: as specific heat capacity or as molar heat capacity. Specific heat capacity (C) is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius (or one Kelvin). On the other hand, molar heat capacity (Cₘ) is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one mole of a substance by one degree Celsius (or one Kelvin).
The heat capacity of a substance depends on its physical properties, such as its mass, composition, and molecular structure. Different substances have different heat capacities due to variations in their internal energy storage mechanisms. For example, materials with a high heat capacity can absorb a large amount of heat energy without a significant increase in temperature, while those with a low heat capacity require less energy to raise their temperature.
The heat capacity of a substance is directly related to its energy storage capabilities. By having a higher heat capacity, a substance can store a greater amount o… Read full answer