Specific heat capacity Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
The specific heat capacity (abbreviated C, also called specific heat) of a substance is defined as the amount of heat energy (measured in Joules) required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of the substance by one Kelvin. The SI unit for specific heat capacity is the joule per kilogram Kelvin. Specific heat capacity is therefore heat capacity per unit mass. Heat capacity can be measured by using calorimetry.The equivalent definition using cgs units is the amount of heat energy (measured in ergs) required to raise the temperature of one gram of the substance by one degree Celsius.
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2 Factors that influence heat capacity measurements 3 Table of specific heat capacities 4 Related concepts 5 See also |
Approximation
Actually, this is only an approximation of heat capacity. An approximation is possible because measuring the slope (derivative) of the internal energy due to random motion of atoms in a sample as a function of temperature, normalized by dividing by the mass of the sample, is normally almost linear.
Factors that influence heat capacity measurements
Table of specific heat capacities
| Substance | Phase at 101.325 kPa (=1 atm), 293K (20°C) | Specific heat capacity (J·kg-1·K-1) |
| Aluminium | solid | 900 |
| Gold | solid | 129 |
| Graphite | solid | 720 |
| Diamond | solid | 502 |
| Copper | solid | 385 |
| Brass | solid | 377 |
| Iron | solid | 444 |
| Mercury | liquid | 139 |
| Water | liquid | 4186 |
| Ethanol | liquid | 246 |
| Water | solid | 2060 |
This is an Article on Specific heat capacity. Page Contains Information, Facts Details or Explanation Guide About Specific heat capacity Related concepts
See also