jordking2008@yahoo.ca
2006-08-23 07:13:43 · 3 answers · asked by john p 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Specific heat is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature 1 degree C or K per gram of the substance (in usual units, J / g degree C).
Heat capacity is very similar to the concept of specific heat,
Heat capacity measures the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of the substance 1 degree C or K (in usual units).
The reasons I stated "in usual units" is because there are many different ways of expressing the same thing depending on the system of measurement one is using.
In science, we use the SI system (which is very close to the metric system)....the SI unit of temperature is Kelvin, the metric unit is degrees Celsius. The SI and metric unit of energy is the Joule. Although it is not technically THE unit of mass in SI, gram is often used when calculated specific heats, but you will also see kilograms.
In other systems, you might see the unit of energy called the "Calorie", or "calorie" (notice the different capitalization).
1 Calorie = 1000 calories.
Water has a specific heat using this system of 1 calorie / gram degree C, which makes this unit nice to use on occasion, compared to the 4.186 J/ gram degree C.
2006-08-23 07:18:10 · answer #1 · answered by mrjeffy321 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the substance. Do you need a definition? Its about the amount of engery to increase the temperature of a gram of a substance by one degrees celcius. For water its 1!
2006-08-23 07:16:49 · answer #2 · answered by David A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word "specific" in (old) chemical jargon means "per unit of mass" or "per mole".
Often "specific heat capacity" and "specific heat" and "heat capacity" are used interchangeably,
but really, "heat capacity" should have units of energy per degree of temperature, such as joules/K. It is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of some amount of material by one degree. The amount of material is the amount in your system, test tube, flask reactor, etc.
"specific heat capacity" should have units of energy per degree per unit of mass, such as J/g K.
It is the energy required to raise one gram of a material by one degree.
2006-08-23 07:48:45 · answer #3 · answered by Steve 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋