SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY BY MR. WONG

Specific Heat Capacity Equation

The formula used to calculate heat energy transfer: $Q = m C \\Delta T$.

Q

Heat energy, measured in Joules ($\text{J}$).

m

Mass of the substance, measured in grams ($\text{g}$) or kilograms ($\text{kg}$).

C

Specific heat capacity, the energy required to raise the temperature of 1 unit of mass by 1 degree.

ΔT

Change in temperature, defined as $\text{ΔT} = T_F - T_I$.

Sign of Q ($+Q$)

Indicates an endothermic process where heat is absorbed by the system.

Sign of Q ($-Q$)

Indicates an exothermic process where heat is released by the system.

Formula Triangle

A method to solve for unknown variables in the heat equation without algebraic rearrangement.

Mass ($m$) using the formula triangle

Rearranged equation to find mass: $m = \frac{Q}{C \\Delta T}$.

Specific Heat Capacity ($C$) using the formula triangle

Rearranged equation to find specific heat capacity: $C = \frac{Q}{m \\Delta T}$.

Change in Temperature ($\Delta T$) using the formula triangle

Rearranged equation to find change in temperature: $\Delta T = \frac{Q}{m C}$.

Final Temperature ($T_F$) calculation

Find $\Delta T$ then use: $T_F = \frac{Q}{m C} + T_I$.

Law of Conservation of Energy in calorimetry

Thermal energy lost by one substance is gained by another.

Heat relationship in calorimetry

If water absorbs heat ($+Q_{\text{water}}$), then metal releases equal heat ($-Q_{\text{metal}}$).