Specific Heat | Specific Heat Capacity

Specific Heat | Specific Heat Capacity :- Specific heat, also known as specific heat capacity, is a thermodynamic property that quantifies the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass (typically measured in grams) of a substance by one degree Celsius (or one Kelvin) under constant pressure conditions. It is denoted by the symbol “c” or “s” and is expressed in units of joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/g°C) or joules per gram per Kelvin (J/gK).

The specific heat of a substance is a measure of its ability to store and release thermal energy. Different substances have different specific heat values, which depend on their molecular structure and composition. Materials with higher specific heat values require more energy to raise their temperature compared to substances with lower specific heat values.

Formula of Specific Heat

Suppose m mass of a substance is supplied Q amount of heat due to which, its temperature increases by ΔT, then

Heat energy required for unit mass = Q/m

⇒ Heat energy required for unit temperature change of unit mass = Q/(mΔT)

Hence formula of specific heat,

Or

where:

• $Q$ is the amount of heat energy transferred (in joules)
• $m$ is the mass of the substance (in grams)
• $c$ is the specific heat of the substance (in J/g°C or J/gK)
• $\Delta T$ is the change in temperature (in degrees Celsius or Kelvin)

Specific heat is an essential concept in various fields, including thermodynamics, chemistry, and engineering, as it helps understand and predict how substances respond to changes in temperature and how much heat energy is needed for specific processes like heating or cooling.