Define water equivalent

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Water Equivalent:**
Water equivalent is a concept used in calorimetry to compare the heat capacity of a substance with that of water. It helps in understanding how much heat a body can absorb or release when its temperature changes.

2. **Definition:**
The water equivalent of a body is defined as the mass of water that would absorb or evolve the same amount of heat as the body does when its temperature changes by 1 degree Celsius.

3. **Mathematical Representation:**
If a body has a mass \( m \) and a specific heat capacity \( s \), the water equivalent \( W \) can be expressed mathematically as:
\[ W = m \cdot s \]
where:
- \( W \) is the water equivalent,
- \( m \) is the mass of the body,
- \( s \) is the specific heat capacity of the body.

4. **Interpretation:**
This formula indicates that the water equivalent is directly proportional to both the mass of the body and its specific heat. This means that heavier bodies or those with higher specific heat will have a larger water equivalent.

5. **Conclusion:**
The water equivalent provides a useful way to relate the thermal properties of different materials to that of water, which is commonly used as a standard reference in calorimetry.

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