Which one of the following substances has highest specific heat capacity at room temperature and atmospheric pressure ? a) Water b) Ice c) Aluminum d) Mercury

Options

A. Water
B. Ice
C. Aluminium
D. Mercury

Explanation

To determine which substance has the highest specific heat capacity at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand Specific Heat Capacity
Specific heat capacity is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius (or one Kelvin). It is a physical property that varies from one substance to another.

### Step 2: List the Specific Heat Capacities of the Given Substances
We need to find the specific heat capacities of the substances mentioned in the question:
- **Water**: 4186 J/(kg·K)
- **Ice**: 2060 J/(kg·K)
- **Aluminum**: 900 J/(kg·K)
- **Mercury**: 140 J/(kg·K)

### Step 3: Compare the Specific Heat Capacities
Now, we will compare the specific heat capacities of the four substances:
- Water: 4186 J/(kg·K)
- Ice: 2060 J/(kg·K)
- Aluminum: 900 J/(kg·K)
- Mercury: 140 J/(kg·K)

### Step 4: Identify the Substance with the Highest Specific Heat Capacity
From the comparison, we can see that:
- Water has the highest specific heat capacity at 4186 J/(kg·K).

### Step 5: Conclusion
Therefore, the substance with the highest specific heat capacity at room temperature and atmospheric pressure is **water**.

### Final Answer
**Option A: Water**

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