heat capacity

What is specific heat capacity?

Amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1kg of a substance by 1°C

Opposite way of thinking

For 1kg of water, the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature by 1°C is 4200J

But also when the 1kg of water cools by 1°C, it gives out 4200J.

Specific heat capacity =

Thermal energy / (mass * temperature change)

Heat capacity

The transfer of thermal energy per unit change in temperature (J/°C) of an object

If there is a transfer of thermal energy to or from an object, the change in the temperature of the object depends on:

The mass of the object

The type of material it is made from

Heat capacity of the object

Specific heat capacity of solid lead

130

Specific heat capacity of solid copper

390

Specific heat capacity of solid aluminium

900

Specific heat capacity of ice

2100

Specific heat capacity of liquid ethanol

2400

Specific heat capacity of water

4200

Specific heat capacity of hydrogen gas

14000