1. What is Specific Heat?

Definition: Specific heat is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of a substance by 1 Kelvin.

Purpose: It helps determine how much energy is needed to heat or cool materials and compares how different substances absorb heat.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( c \) — Specific heat (J/kg·K)
• \( Q \) — Heat energy transferred (Joules)
• \( m \) — Mass of the substance (kilograms)
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature change (Kelvin)

Explanation: The heat energy is divided by the product of mass and temperature change to determine the specific heat capacity.

3. Importance of Specific Heat Calculation

Details: Understanding specific heat is crucial for thermal system design, material selection, and energy efficiency calculations in engineering and physics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the heat energy in Joules, mass in kilograms, and temperature change in Kelvin. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical specific heat values?
A: Water has a high specific heat of 4186 J/kg·K, while metals like iron (450 J/kg·K) and aluminum (900 J/kg·K) have lower values.

Q2: Can I use Celsius instead of Kelvin?
A: Yes, because ΔT is the same in both scales (1°C change = 1K change).

Q3: Why is specific heat important in daily life?
A: It explains why water heats/cools slowly (good for temperature regulation) and why metals feel hot/cold quickly.

Q4: How does specific heat relate to thermal conductivity?
A: They're different properties - specific heat measures heat storage capacity, while conductivity measures heat transfer rate.

Q5: What's the difference between specific heat and heat capacity?
A: Specific heat is per unit mass (J/kg·K), while heat capacity is for an entire object (J/K).