Why do some materials take longer to heat up or cool down than others?

How much heat is stored in an object depends on its specific heat, as described by the formula below:

Q = cpm(Tfinal-Tinitial)

This model is similar to 1A, except that the specific heats of the two rectangular objects are different.

  1. Run the model and note the temperatures measured by the two thermometers.
  2. Turn the graph on to watch the changes of the temperatures.
  3. Use the buttons at the upper-right corner of the graph window to rescale the curves if necessary.
  4. Wait until the temperatures of the two objects do not change any further.
  5. Record the final temperature of the two objects in your workbook.

Click the Reset button and change the specific heats of the two objects using the drop-down menus below the model. Repeat steps 1-5 for two more different setups. Make sure that the specific heats are different in each setup.


Specific heat in J/(kg*°C): Left object:       Right object:

Graph: On Off     Grid: On Off     Coloring: