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Specific heat capacity (c) is the energy required to raise 1 gram of a substance by 1°C. Water's unusually high specific heat (4.184 J/g°C) is why oceans moderate Earth's climate.

Формула

Q = m × c × ΔT where Q=heat, m=mass, c=specific heat capacity, ΔT=temperature change

Q: Heat Energy (Joules or cal)
m: Mass (kg or g)
c: Specific Heat Capacity (J/kg⋅K)

Пошаговое руководство

1Q = m × c × ΔT
2Q = heat energy (Joules)
3m = mass (grams)
4c = specific heat capacity (J/g°C)
5ΔT = temperature change (°C)

Решённые примеры

Ввод

Heat 200g water from 20°C to 100°C

Результат

Q = 200 × 4.184 × 80 = 66,944 J ≈ 16 kcal

Ввод

Same mass of iron (c=0.444)

Результат

Q = 200 × 0.444 × 80 = 7,104 J — 9× less energy

Часто задаваемые вопросы

Why does water have high specific heat?

Water molecules form strong hydrogen bonds. These bonds require significant energy to break and reform during temperature changes, giving water high specific heat.

How does specific heat relate to thermal energy storage?

Materials with high specific heat (like water) store more thermal energy per temperature change. This is why water is used in thermal batteries and heating systems.

What's the difference between heat and temperature?

Temperature is a measure of molecular motion. Heat is the transfer of energy between objects. The same temperature change requires different amounts of heat depending on the material.

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