Periodic Table of Elements

Specific Heat

The Specific Heat is the amount of heat required to change a unit mass of a substance by one degree in temperature.

For example, it takes 1 calorie to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1°C. So the specific heat for water is 1 calorie/gram °C = 4.186 joule/gram °C.

Specific Heat Formula can be expressed as q = c m ΔT
where:
q is amount of heat energy added.
c is specific heat.
m is mass.
ΔT is change in temperature.

Example 1:
Calculate the heat required to raise 500 grams of water from 30°C to 90°C? (Specific Heat of water = 4.186 joule/gram °C)?

Solution:
Mass of water m = 500 g,
Temperature difference ΔT = 30°C - 90°C = 60°C
Specific Heat of water C = 4.186 joule/gram °C

Heat required q = c m ΔT
q = 4.186 joule/gram °C x 500 grams x 60°C = 125580 Joules