What is the difference between heat capacity and specific heat?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that both heat capacity and specific heat relate to the amount of heat energy required to change the temperature of a substance, but they differ in how they are measured and applied.
2. Recognize that heat capacity (C) is the total amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a given quantity of a substance by one degree Celsius (or one Kelvin). It is an extensive property, meaning it depends on the amount of the substance.
3. Learn that specific heat (c) is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius (or one Kelvin). It is an intensive property, meaning it does not depend on the amount of the substance and is specific to the material.
4. Consider that the relationship between heat capacity and specific heat can be expressed by the formula: C = m imes c, where 'm' is the mass of the substance. This formula helps in calculating the heat capacity if the specific heat and mass are known.
5. Apply this knowledge to practical situations, such as calculating the energy required to heat a specific amount of a substance or comparing the thermal properties of different materials.

Key Concepts

Heat Capacity

Heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin). It is an extensive property, meaning it depends on the amount of substance present. Heat capacity can vary with temperature and is typically expressed in joules per degree Celsius (J/°C).

Specific Heat

Specific heat, or specific heat capacity, is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin). It is an intensive property, meaning it is independent of the amount of substance. Specific heat is crucial for understanding how different materials respond to heat and is expressed in joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/g·°C).

Relationship Between Heat Capacity and Specific Heat

The relationship between heat capacity and specific heat is defined by the mass of the substance. Heat capacity is the product of specific heat and mass, indicating that while specific heat is a property of the material itself, heat capacity reflects the total heat required for a given quantity of that material. This distinction is essential for calculations involving thermal energy transfer.