Question #516fc

1 Answer
Biology_geek · Jackie Shlecter
Apr 21, 2014

To calculate the specific heat capacity of a substance, use the formula Q = m C Delta T

where Q is the quantity of heat (energy) needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C, measured in J;
m is the mass of the substance, in kg;
C is the specific heat capacity of the material, in J/(kg) * ^o C; and
Delta T is the temperature change, in ^oC

If you are looking for the specific heat capacity (C), you will need to isolate it by dividing both sides by m Delta T.

Example:

To raise the temperature of 400 g of gold from 50^oC to 75^oC, 1.3 kJ of energy is needed. What is the specific heat capacity of gold?

C = Q / (m Delta T)

C = 1300 / (0.4 * 25)

C = 1300 / 10

C = 130 J/(kg) * ^o C

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