1. What is Specific Heat?

Definition: Specific heat is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin).

Purpose: This calculator helps determine the specific heat capacity of a substance when given heat energy, mass, and temperature change.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The heat energy is divided by the product of mass and temperature change to determine how much energy the material can store per unit mass per degree.

3. Importance of Specific Heat Calculation

Details: Specific heat values are crucial in thermodynamics, material science, and engineering applications involving heat transfer.

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 have much lower values (~450 J/kg·K).

Q2: Why use Kelvin for temperature change?
A: Kelvin and Celsius degrees are the same size, but Kelvin is an absolute scale required in thermodynamic calculations.

Q3: Can I use this for any material?
A: Yes, as long as you have accurate measurements of heat added, mass, and temperature change.

Q4: How precise should my measurements be?
A: For accurate results, measure heat energy and mass as precisely as possible, especially for small temperature changes.

Q5: Does this work for phase changes?
A: No, this formula only applies when there's no phase change (solid↔liquid↔gas). During phase changes, use latent heat formulas.