Specific Heat Capacity

Related Pages
Specific Heat Capacity Experiment
Energy Transfers
Mechanical, Potential and Kinetic Energy
Elastic Potential Energy
Lessons for IGCSE Physics

Specific Heat Capacity

The following diagram gives the formula for specific heat capacity. Scroll down the page for more examples and solutions on how to use the formula.

The specific heat capacity of a substance is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of the substance by 1°C.

Change of Energy = m × c × change in temperature

Calculate Specific Heat Capacity - IGCSE Physics

Example:
A 250g copper pipe is heated from 10°C to 31°C. What is the energy needed to heat the pipe? The specific heat capacity of copper is 390 J/kg^-1°C^-1.

• Show Video Lesson

Finding Specific Heat Capacity - IGCSE Physics

Example:
A 250g block of Aluminium is heated in a water bath to 100°C. After being placed in 300g of 21.0°C water, the temperature of the water rises to 331°C. Find the specific heat capacity of Aluminium.

• Show Video Lesson

Examples:

1. Calculate the energy required to increase the temperature of 2kg of water from 20°C to 100°C. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J/kg °C.

2. An iron has an aluminium plate with a mass of 1.5kg. Calculate the thermal energy stored in the plate when the temperature rises from 20°C to 200°C. The specific heat capacity of aluminium is 913 J/kg° C.

3. A hot water bottle cools down from 80°C to 20°C, releasing 756000J of thermal energy. Calculate the mass of the water in the hot water bottle. The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J/kg°C.

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

We welcome your feedback, comments and questions about this site or page. Please submit your feedback or enquiries via our Feedback page.