Which statement best defines the heat capacity of a sample?

• A. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of the entire sample by 1 degree Celsius.
• B. The amount of heat released when the sample cools by 1 degree Celsius.
• C. The amount of heat required to change the phase of the sample at constant temperature.
• D. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of the sample by 1 degree Celsius.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that heat capacity is a physical property that describes how much heat energy is needed to change the temperature of a substance.
2. Recognize that heat capacity refers to the entire sample, not per unit mass, so it involves the total amount of heat required to raise the temperature of the whole sample by 1 degree Celsius.
3. Note that heat released when cooling or heat required for phase change are related concepts but describe different processes (cooling and phase transitions, respectively), not heat capacity.
4. Differentiate heat capacity from specific heat capacity, where specific heat capacity is the heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius.
5. Conclude that the best definition of heat capacity is: the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of the entire sample by 1 degree Celsius.