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. What is the temperature change? 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
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.
J
