Specific Heat Formula

Specific Heat

Specific heat is used when we are referring to something particular. Heat capacity is the ratio of the quantity of heat required to alter the temperature by one degree Celsius. But when we consider a certain amount of mass we make use of the word Specific Heat or Specific Heat Capacity. The heat capacity of most systems is not constant and it depends on quantities like the pressure, volume and temperature.

Specific heat is the quantity of heat essential to raise the temperature of one gram of any substance by 1 degree Celsius.

Specific Heat formula is articulated as

Where,
Δ Q is the heat gained or lost
Δ T is the temperature difference

m is the mass

The temperature difference is given by Δ T = (T_f – T_i), where the final temperature is T_f  and the initial temperature is T_i .

Specific Heat formula is made use of to find the specific heat of any given material, its mass, heat gained or temperature difference if some of the variables are given. It is articulated in Joule/Kg Kelvin (J/Kg K).

Solved Examples

Example 1: Calculate the heat required to raise 0.6 Kg of sand from 30^oC to 90^oC? (Specific Heat of sand = 830 J/Kg^oC)
Answer:

Known:

Mass of sand m = 0.6 Kg,
Δ T (Temperature difference)  = 90^oC – 30^oC = 60^oC
C (Specific Heat of sand) = 830 J/Kg^oC

The specific heat is given by, 

Henceforth, Heat required is given by Q = C m Δ T
= 830 J/Kg^oC × 0.6 Kg × 60^oC
= 29880 J.

Example 2: Compute the temperature difference if 50 Kg of water absorbs 500 K J of heat?

Answer:

Known:

m (Mass) = 50 Kg,
Q (Heat transfer) = 500 KJ,
C (Specific Heat of water) = 4.2 × 10³ J/Kg^oC

The temperature difference is given by:

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