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⚛️ Physics  ·  Thermal Properties of Matter  ·  NEET & JEE

Which of the following has the highest specific heat capacity among common substances?

Answer: Water.

  • A Iron
  • B Copper
  • C Water
  • D Lead

Correct answer: C. Water

Explanation: Water has an unusually high specific heat capacity (about 4186 J/kg·K), much higher than most metals, which is why it is used as a coolant.

Heating Curve: Ice → Water → SteamHeat added (Q)T (°C)ice warms (-ve→0°C)melting (0°C, latent heat)water warms (0→100°C)boiling (100°C, latent heat)FLAT regions = phase change (all heat goes into breaking bonds, NOT raising temperature)

During a phase change (melting or boiling), temperature stays constant while heat is absorbed entirely as latent heat (Q=mL); temperature only rises again once the substance is fully in its new phase.

Concept context

Temperature scales, thermal expansion, calorimetry, and the three modes of heat transfer including radiation laws.

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