14.3.1—Specific heat capacity

Specific heat capacity c is energy required to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1 K: ∆E=mc∆T.

Use temperature difference, not absolute temperature, and distinguish the substance mass from container or heater losses.

Heating 2.0 kg of water by 5 K requires about 42 kJ if c=4200 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹.

A high specific heat capacity means more energy per kilogram per degree, not that the object always reaches a higher final temperature.