If two substances with equal mass and starting temperature absorb the same amount of heat, the one with the lower specific heat will experience a greater temperature rise.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Not enough information
• D. They will have the same final temperature

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that the temperature change for a given amount of heat depends on how much energy is needed to raise the temperature per unit mass, which is the specific heat. The relationship is Q = m c ΔT, so ΔT = Q/(m c). With equal masses and the same heat added, ΔT is larger when the specific heat c is smaller. That means the substance with the lower c requires less energy to achieve a given temperature rise, so it actually heats up more for the same amount of heat. Since both start at the same temperature, the one with the lower specific heat will end up at a higher final temperature after the heat input.