Specific Heat

Because each substance's particles have a different mass, it takes a different amount of heat energy to get them moving at a certain speed ie have a certain temperature.

As a result different substances change temperature by different amounts when supplied the same amount of energy. The specific heat capacity of a substance is the amount of energy required to change the temperature of one kilogram of the substance by one degree Celsius. It is calculated using the following equation:

E = m × c × θ

where:
E is __________ transferred in __________, J
m is __________ in __________, kg
 θ is __________ change in degrees __________, °C
c is __________ heat capacity in J / kg °C

Example Questions

    Each day the average European family uses 100 kg of hot water.

    To kill bacteria, the water going into the tank at 20°C must be heated to 60°C.

  1. What is the temperature change? __________
  2. Calculate the energy needed to increase the temperature of 100 kg of water by this amount.
    Note: Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J/kg °C.

    __________ J