is q=mc∆T the same thing as q=nC∆T?

Question

do they both find molar heat capacity?
what do the symbols mean?
what do they find?
can u tell me basically everything you know about it?

IM SO CONFUSED!!!!

Answer 1

Alexm4791-

I found this on a professor's web site at Berkeley...

q = mCdeltaT

q = heat energy (in joules) m = mass (usually in kg) C = specific heat (amount of energy to heat 1 kg 1 degree)
delta T = final temp – initial temp

for heat transfer problems q in = - q out

Also a good article describing in one paragraph the difference between c, specific heat, and C, heat capacity.

Basically, both equations indicate that the flow of heat, q, is proportional to the delta T, the temperature difference between the two regions between which the heat is flowing. (mc and nC must give the same answer if your equations as stated are correct.)

A good discussion of specific heat is given in the 3rd citation.

For a good discussion of specific heat capacity vs. molar heat capacity, see citation 4.

Hope all that helps!