1. Learn
  2. Quick Notes
  3. List
  4. Specific Heat Capacity
Back

Understanding Specific Heat Capacity

 
4.2

 Understanding Specific Heat Capacity
 
  Heat capacity, C  
 

 The quantity of heat energy required to raise the temperature by \(1\,^0\text{C}\).

  
     
 
  Specific heat capacity, c  
 

 The heat energy required to raise the temperature of \(1\text{ kg}\) by \(1\,^0\text{C}\) or \(1\text{ K}\)

  
     
 
  Formula  
  \(Q=mc\Delta\theta\), 

 where \(Q\) = energy, \(m\) = mass, \(c\) = specific heat capacity, \(\Delta\theta\) = change in temperature

  
     
 
  •  \(c\uparrow\;\Delta\theta\downarrow\)
     
  • \(c\uparrow\) : heat up slower, cool down slower
  • \(c\downarrow\) : heat up faster, cool down faster
     
  • Mass vs heat content: \(\text{mass}\uparrow\;\text{heat content}\uparrow\)
 
 
Applications of specific heat capacity
  1. Water as cooling agent in car engine
    • water has high specific heat capacity
    • able to absorb more heat without raising its temperature
       
  2. Kitchenware
    • Handle: Higher specific heat capacity, heat up slower
    • Base: Lower specific heat capacity, heat up faster
       
  3. Sea breeze
    • During the day, land heat up faster than sea water (\(c_{land} < c_{sea}\))
    • Warm air rises, lower pressure on land
    • Cooler air flows from sea to land
       
  4. Land breeze
    • During the night, land cool down faster than sea water (\(c_{land} < c_{sea}\))
    • Warm air rises, lower pressure on sea
    • Cooler air flows from land to sea
 
 

 

The views expressed in the notes here are those of the contributor and don’t necessarily represent the views of Pandai.

Understanding Specific Heat Capacity

 
4.2

 Understanding Specific Heat Capacity
 
  Heat capacity, C  
 

 The quantity of heat energy required to raise the temperature by \(1\,^0\text{C}\).

  
     
 
  Specific heat capacity, c  
 

 The heat energy required to raise the temperature of \(1\text{ kg}\) by \(1\,^0\text{C}\) or \(1\text{ K}\)

  
     
 
  Formula  
  \(Q=mc\Delta\theta\), 

 where \(Q\) = energy, \(m\) = mass, \(c\) = specific heat capacity, \(\Delta\theta\) = change in temperature

  
     
 
  •  \(c\uparrow\;\Delta\theta\downarrow\)
     
  • \(c\uparrow\) : heat up slower, cool down slower
  • \(c\downarrow\) : heat up faster, cool down faster
     
  • Mass vs heat content: \(\text{mass}\uparrow\;\text{heat content}\uparrow\)
 
 
Applications of specific heat capacity
  1. Water as cooling agent in car engine
    • water has high specific heat capacity
    • able to absorb more heat without raising its temperature
       
  2. Kitchenware
    • Handle: Higher specific heat capacity, heat up slower
    • Base: Lower specific heat capacity, heat up faster
       
  3. Sea breeze
    • During the day, land heat up faster than sea water (\(c_{land} < c_{sea}\))
    • Warm air rises, lower pressure on land
    • Cooler air flows from sea to land
       
  4. Land breeze
    • During the night, land cool down faster than sea water (\(c_{land} < c_{sea}\))
    • Warm air rises, lower pressure on sea
    • Cooler air flows from land to sea
 
 

 

The views expressed in the notes here are those of the contributor and don’t necessarily represent the views of Pandai.
Chapter : Heat
Topic : Specific Heat Capacity
Form 4 Physics
Related notes

Report this note
Multi-Level Quiz Sets

Assess yourself by staged practices

Learn more
Register for a free Pandai account now
© 2025 Pandai.org All Rights Reserved

Quiz
View video m
Notes
Account