honors chemistry question?

Question

The specific heat of most oils is about 2J/g degrees celcius, compared to a value of 4.184J/g degrees celcuis for water. Why do you now think oil, rather than water, was the liquid of choice used by castle defenders against invading forces?

Answer 1

Based upon the specific heat, it doesn't take as long to heat up the oil as it does water, to high temperatures hence allowing the castles faster turn around time during attack. Because in attacks, you need speed.
So, if they were to heat up water, it would take twice as long to bring it up to 100C as opposed to oil (4.184/2 = 2 Hence, twice as long - on the assumption that the source of heat remains constant in both incidences).
Further, they could also throw flames down upon their opponents once they scalded them with oil as oil is flamable and water isn't. This creates a second line of assault. Hence two advantages of oil as opposed to water.

Answer 2

because oil are poor condector for heat and gain/lose temperature slowly not as water ,, as we know water maximum temp can reach is 100 C and become at 50 C after less than 1 min ,, but oil can go up to hundreds of degrees C and lose this temperature very slow so its more ideal for this kind of weapons

Answer 3

I always thought it was because oil could be lit ablaze (and would give some nasty black smoke too) to prevent invading forces from taking over the castle. Never even thought about the specific heat perspective, but who knows...

Answer 4

oil was thick and stuck to the skin doing more damage. on a more practical note most of the time this was used as a weapon to prevent a siege. Sieges could last a very long time, and water was just to valuable to give up, because they needed it to drink. Most sieges were broken not by force but by one entity running out of food or water.

Answer 5

It could be raised to a much higher temperature than water; and it sticks to skin and clothing better.

Answer 6

higher temperature?