Specific heat capacity

• Temperature


  A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance
• Specific heat capacity (SHC)

  The energy required to raise the temperature of one kilogram (1 kg) of a substance by one degree Celsius (1 ºC)
• ΔE = mcΔθ

  The equation linking the change in thermal energy, mass, specific heat capacity and temperature change
• ΔE


  The symbol for the change in thermal energy
• m

  The symbol for mass
• c

  the symbol for specific heat capacity
• ΔΘ


  The symbol for change in temperature
• The SI unit for energy and work


  Joules (J)
• The SI unit for specific heat capacity

  Joules per kilogram-degrees Celsius (J/kgºC)
• The SI unit for mass

  Kilograms (kg)
• The SI unit for temperature

  Degrees Celsius (ºC)
• The specific heat capacity of water

  4200 J/kgºC
• Materials with a low specific heat capacity so heat up and cool down quickly


  Thermal conductors
• Materials with a high specific heat capacity so heat up and cool down slowly


  Thermal insulators