Heat Capacity Calculator

Heat Capacity Analysis

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Understanding Heat Capacity

What is Heat Capacity?

Heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree. It depends on the mass and specific heat capacity of the material.

Heat Transfer Formula:

Q = m × c × ΔT

Q = Energy, m = Mass, c = Specific Heat, ΔT = Temp Change

Specific Heat Values

Different materials have different specific heat capacities. Water has high specific heat (4186 J/kg·K), making it excellent for thermal storage, while metals typically have lower values.

Common Specific Heat Values

Liquids

  • Water: 4186 J/(kg·K)
  • Ice: 2090 J/(kg·K)
  • Alcohol: 2440 J/(kg·K)
  • Oil: 2000 J/(kg·K)

Metals

  • Aluminum: 897 J/(kg·K)
  • Copper: 385 J/(kg·K)
  • Steel: 466 J/(kg·K)
  • Lead: 128 J/(kg·K)

Conclusion

Heat capacity calculations are fundamental to thermodynamics and engineering applications. Understanding heat transfer and energy requirements is essential for thermal management, HVAC systems, and material selection across all scientific and industrial processes.