Which of the following values is closest to the specific heat capacity of liquid water at standard conditions?

• A. 2.10 J/g·°C
• B. 0.90 J/g·°C
• C. 1.00 J/g·°C
• D. 4.18 J/g·°C

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the specific heat capacity (c) is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius (°C). It is usually expressed in units of J/g·°C.
2. Recall that water has a relatively high specific heat capacity compared to many other substances, which means it can absorb a lot of heat without a large change in temperature.
3. Recognize that the commonly accepted value for the specific heat capacity of liquid water at standard conditions (room temperature and atmospheric pressure) is approximately 4.18 J/g·°C.
4. Compare the given options (2.10, 0.90, 1.00 J/g·°C) to the known value of 4.18 J/g·°C and identify which is closest to this standard value.
5. Conclude that the value 4.18 J/g·°C is the correct specific heat capacity of liquid water at standard conditions, as it matches the well-established scientific data.