College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Practice Exam

How many calories are required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius?

1. 1 calorie

2. 10 calories

3. 100 calories

4. 50 calories

The correct answer is: 1 calorie

The correct answer is based on the definition of a calorie in the context of specific heat. A calorie is defined as the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree Celsius. This is a fundamental principle in thermodynamics and is crucial for understanding how energy transfer occurs in various physical and biological processes. In this specific case, the question is directly related to the concept of specific heat capacity, which for water is approximately 1 calorie per gram per degree Celsius. This means that for every gram of water, it takes exactly one calorie to increase its temperature by one degree, making this measurement a standard unit in various scientific applications. Other options suggest incorrect values which do not match the established scientific definition of the calorie as it pertains to water. Understanding the energy required for temperature changes in water helps in fields like nutrition, exercise physiology, and environmental science, where temperature, energy, and heat transfer are significant factors.