Specific Heat Capacity – Basic Principles
How it works
The specific heat capacity c indicates how much thermal energy is needed to heat 1 kg of a substance by 1 K. It is a material property and is given in J/(kg·K). For many school problems, Q = m·c·ΔT is approximately valid if no phase change occurs and c can be assumed to be approximately constant in the temperature range considered. Here, m is the mass and ΔT is the change in temperature. For the same heat input, the change in temperature depends on the mass and on the substance. Specific heat capacity does not simply depend on the amount of substance.
If no phase change occurs and c is approximately constant in the temperature range considered, use Q = m·c·ΔT or rearranged ΔT = Q/(m·c). In problems, always compare the amount of heat, mass, and substance.
An example
1 kg of water and 1 kg of oil receive the same amount of heat. Which substance warms up more strongly?
Try it yourself now
50 Exercises · three difficulty levels · selection and number input
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: KMK Educational Standards Mathematics ESA/MSA. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.