Specific Heat

Specific Heat Equation

Q = mc Delta T

Specific heat separates the material property from the mass and the temperature change.

highlighted = computed this step

Use mass and specific heat

The sample has mass 2 kilograms. Its specific heat is 5 joules per kilogram per kelvin.

m=2 kgc=5 J/(kg K)m = 2\ \text{kg}\qquad c = 5\ \text{J/(kg K)}
Specific heat caseThe heat bar is bound to mass, specific heat, and temperature change.30 Jheat300 Kstart303 Kend

Specific heat scales by mass

Specific heat is per kilogram, so multiply by the mass and by the temperature change.

Q=mcΔTQ = mc\Delta T

Compute the heat

Multiply 2 kilograms by 5 joules per kilogram per kelvin by 3 kelvin. The result is 30 joules.

Q=2 kg⋅5 J/(kg K)⋅3 K=30 JQ = 2\ \text{kg}\cdot 5\ \text{J/(kg K)}\cdot 3\ \text{K} = 30\ \text{J}
Specific heat caseThe heat bar is bound to mass, specific heat, and temperature change.30 Jheat300 Kstart303 Kend