Question

A substance's specific heat is a function of its

• A. mass
• B. weight
• C. volume
• D. molecular structure

Hint:

The specific heat of a substance is determined by its molecular structure, and different substances with the same mass can have different specific heats due to the type of bonding and atomic arrangements.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The specific heat of a substance depends on its molecular structure because the way molecules interact with each other determines how much heat energy is required to raise the temperature of the substance by a certain amount. Substances with more complex molecular structures may have more ways to store and transfer thermal energy, affecting the amount of energy needed for a temperature change. For example, in solids, the atomic or molecular vibrations (phonons) and bonds between molecules play a role in specific heat. In liquids and gases, the freedom of movement and interactions between molecules also influence the specific heat.

Hence, the correct answer is (d).