Specific Heat Capacity of Materials

Overview

Specific heat capacity ($c$) is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass by one degree. It is a fundamental thermodynamic property.

Key Formulas

Heat Transfer

$Q = m c \Delta T$

Heat required to change temperature.

Specific Heat at Constant Pressure

$c_p = \left(\frac{\partial h}{\partial T}\right)_p$

Enthalpy change per degree at constant pressure.

Specific Heat at Constant Volume

$c_v = \left(\frac{\partial u}{\partial T}\right)_v$

Internal energy change per degree at constant volume.

Variables

Symbol	Description	Unit
$Q$	Heat transferred	J
$m$	Mass	kg
$c$	Specific heat capacity	J/(kg·K)
$\Delta T$	Temperature change	K

Reference Data

References

• Original Source