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Heat Capacity Equation:
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Heat capacity (C) is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Kelvin. It's an extensive property that depends on the amount of material present.
The calculator uses the heat capacity equation:
Where:
Explanation: The heat capacity of a substance is the product of its mass and its specific heat capacity (the amount of energy needed to raise 1 kg of the substance by 1 K).
Details: Heat capacity calculations are essential in thermodynamics, calorimetry, and engineering applications. They help determine how much energy is needed to heat or cool substances and are crucial in designing heating/cooling systems.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and specific heat capacity in J/kg·K. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the total heat capacity in joules per kelvin (J/K).
Q1: What's the difference between heat capacity and specific heat capacity?
A: Heat capacity (C) is for an entire object (J/K), while specific heat capacity (c) is per unit mass (J/kg·K). Heat capacity = mass × specific heat capacity.
Q2: What are typical specific heat values?
A: Water: ~4186 J/kg·K, Aluminum: ~900 J/kg·K, Iron: ~450 J/kg·K. Substances with higher specific heat require more energy to change temperature.
Q3: Does heat capacity change with temperature?
A: Yes, for most materials, specific heat capacity varies with temperature, though often only slightly for moderate temperature ranges.
Q4: What is molar heat capacity?
A: An alternative form where capacity is expressed per mole (J/mol·K) rather than per kilogram. Useful in chemistry.
Q5: How does heat capacity relate to thermal inertia?
A: Materials with high heat capacity (like water) resist temperature changes more, showing greater thermal inertia.