SPM Physics: AHA! Liquids & Gases That Score Marks

 

Students often write only the substance name, but examiners want the property + application.

Quick memory guide:

• Water → High specific heat capacity → Effective coolant

• Ethanol → Low specific heat capacity → Heats up faster

• Mercury → Low specific heat capacity + high boiling point → Thermometers

• Hydrogen → Lightest gas → Balloons / combustion demo

• Oxygen → Supports combustion → Respiration & experiments

• Helium → Non-flammable → Safe balloon gas

• Butane → Liquefies under pressure → Portable gas cylinders

• Propane → LPG cylinders

• Neon → Emits light when excited → Neon signs

• Argon → Prevents oxidation → Light bulbs

Exam tip: Don’t just say “use water because it is cheap.” Write: water has high specific heat capacity, absorbs large heat with small temperature rise → effective coolant.

AHA! Substance → Property → Application. Not by sight, but by INSIGHT!

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