What is defined as the ratio of heat required to raise the temperature of a material compared to water?

The term that refers to the ratio of heat required to raise the temperature of a material compared to water is specific heat. Specific heat is a material property that indicates how much energy it takes to increase the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius (or one Kelvin). Water is often used as a reference point due to its relatively high specific heat capacity, which means it can absorb a significant amount of heat without a large change in temperature.

This property is crucial in various applications, including fire protection and safety, as it impacts how materials will behave when exposed to heat. Understanding specific heat helps in predicting how different substances will react under heating conditions, which is vital for effective firefighting strategies and materials management during fire incidents.