Specific heat capacity

• Specific heat capacity


  The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius
• Calculating energy required to increase temperature

  1. Mass in kg

  2. Specific heat capacity in J/kg/°C

  3. Temperature change in °C
• Sample question


  • 2 kg of water from 20°C to 100°C
• Specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J/kg/°C
• Change in thermal energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change
• Change in thermal energy for 2 kg of water from 20°C to 100°C is 672,000 J or 672 kJ
• Question 2


  • 1.5 kg aluminium plate from 20°C to 200°C
• Specific heat capacity of aluminium is 913 J/kg/°C
• Change in thermal energy for 1.5 kg aluminium plate from 20°C to 200°C is 246,510 J or 246.51 kJ
• Question 3


  • Hot water bottle cooling from 80°C to 20°C, releasing 756,000 J
• Calculating mass from thermal energy change

  1. Thermal energy change in J

  2. Specific heat capacity in J/kg/°C

  3. Temperature change in °C
• Mass of water in hot water bottle is 3 kg