Specific Heat Calculator
Calculate specific heat capacity, energy, mass, or temperature change using the fundamental heat transfer equation
Calculate Specific Heat Properties
Select the quantity you want to find using Q = m × c × ΔT
Specific Heat Capacity Results
Unit Conversions
Calculation Details
Physics Analysis
Example Calculation
Heating Water
Problem: Heat 2 kg of water by 50°C
Given:
• Mass (m) = 2 kg
• Specific heat (c) = 4182 J/(kg·K)
• Temperature change (ΔT) = 50 K
Solution
Q = m × c × ΔT
Q = 2 × 4182 × 50
Q = 418,200 J = 418.2 kJ
Energy needed to heat the water
Formula Reference
Common Materials
Physics Tips
Water has one of the highest specific heats
Metals generally have low specific heats
Higher specific heat = better thermal storage
Temperature change is same in °C and K
Energy is always positive, temperature change can be negative
Understanding Specific Heat Capacity
What is Specific Heat Capacity?
Specific heat capacity is the amount of thermal energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of a substance by 1 Kelvin (or 1 degree Celsius). It's an intrinsic property that determines how much energy a material can store per unit mass and temperature change.
Physical Significance
- •Higher values mean more energy needed for temperature change
- •Materials with high specific heat are good thermal regulators
- •Used in heating, cooling, and thermal storage applications
- •Critical for calorimetry and thermal analysis
Applications and Examples
Thermal Energy Storage
Water's high specific heat (4,182 J/(kg·K)) makes it excellent for heating systems, thermal mass in buildings, and industrial cooling.
Cooking Applications
Understanding specific heat helps calculate cooking times and energy requirements for different foods and cooking methods.
Material Science
Metals have low specific heats, making them suitable for heat exchangers and applications requiring rapid temperature changes.
Note: Specific heat can vary with temperature and phase. The values provided are typical at room temperature.
Formula Variations and Relationships
Basic Formula
Energy = Mass × Specific Heat × Temp Change
Heat Capacity
Total Heat Capacity = Mass × Specific Heat
Calorimetry
Energy lost = Energy gained
Real-World Applications
HVAC Design
Calculate heating and cooling loads for buildings. Determine energy requirements for climate control systems and thermal mass design.
Industrial Processes
Design heat exchangers, calculate energy costs for heating/cooling processes, and optimize thermal efficiency in manufacturing.
Food Science
Determine cooking times, energy requirements for food processing, and design thermal treatment processes for food safety.