Uncovering the Mystery of Specific Heat: Metal Clip vs. Seat Belt Fabric

Which material has a higher specific heat, the metal clip or the seat belt fabric?

Think about the definition of specific heat.

Answer:

The material with a higher specific heat is the seat belt fabric.

Specific heat is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius. In this case, the seat belt fabric has a higher specific heat compared to the metal clip.

When you get into a parked car in the summer, the metal clip on the seat belt may feel hotter to the touch compared to the seat belt fabric. This is because metal is a good conductor of heat, meaning it can easily transfer heat from its surroundings (such as the sun) to your skin when touched. On the other hand, the seat belt fabric is not a good conductor of heat, so it does not retain heat as effectively as the metal clip.

Therefore, even though the metal clip may feel hotter initially due to its conductivity, the seat belt fabric actually has a higher specific heat capacity as it requires more heat to raise its temperature by one degree Celsius compared to the metal clip.