Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Specific heat capacity is the energy required to increase the temperature of 1kg of a material by 1°C.
About Specific Heat Capacity
- The SI Units of specific heat capacity are J/kg°C.
- Specific heat capacity describes how easily the temperature of a material can be changed.
- Materials with a low specific heat capacity are generally good thermal conductors and materials with a high specific heat capacity are generally good thermal insulators.
Equation
NB: You do not need to remember the equation for specific heat capacity.
Specific Heat Capacity = (Energy Transferred)/[(Mass) x (Temperature Change)]
\(c = \frac{E}{m \Delta \theta}\)
Where\[c\] = The Specific Heat Capacity of the material.
\(E\) = The Energy transferred to the object, by heating.
\(m\) = The mass of the object.
\(\Delta \theta\) = The Temperature change of the object.
Example Calculations
| 8.0kg of water is heated with an energy of 1510kJ from a temperature of 11°C to a temperature of 56°C. Calculate the specific heat capacity of the water correct to two significant figures. | A 989g block of metal is heated using an immersion heater from 24°C to 39°C. A Joulemeter connected to the immersion heater reads 13,000J. Calculate the specific heat capacity of the metal correct to two significant figures. |
| 1. State the known quantities in SI Units
E = 1510kJ = 1510x103J m = 8.0kg Δθ = 56-11 = 45°C |
1. State the known quantities in SI Units |
| 2. Substitute the numbers into the equation and solve. | 2. Substitute the numbers into the equation and solve. |