Specific Heat Calculator (Chemistry)

Specific heat capacity is a material property that describes how much energy is needed to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1°C — and the Specific Heat Calculator solves for it using the formula Q = mcΔT. Enter the heat energy (Q), mass (m), and temperature change (ΔT), then select your preferred units for each. The calculator returns the specific heat capacity in J/(kg·K), along with your converted inputs for heat energy, mass, and temperature change.

J

Total thermal energy transferred to or from the substance

kg

Total mass of the substance

°C

Change in temperature (final - initial)

Select a common substance or choose Custom to calculate

Results

Specific Heat Capacity

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Heat Energy

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Mass

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Temperature Change

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is specific heat capacity?

Specific heat capacity is the amount of thermal energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 K (or 1°C). It's a material property that determines how much energy is needed to heat or cool a substance.

What is the formula for specific heat?

The specific heat formula is c = Q/(m×ΔT), where c is specific heat capacity, Q is heat energy, m is mass, and ΔT is temperature change. This can be rearranged to solve for any unknown variable.

What are the units for specific heat capacity?

The SI unit for specific heat capacity is J/(kg·K) or J/(kg·°C). Other common units include J/(g·°C), cal/(g·°C), and Btu/(lb·°F) depending on the measurement system used.

What is the specific heat capacity value of water?

Water has a specific heat capacity of approximately 4,186 J/(kg·K) or 4.186 J/(g·°C). This high value makes water excellent for thermal regulation and heat storage applications.

What is the specific heat capacity value of aluminum?

Aluminum has a specific heat capacity of approximately 900 J/(kg·K) or 0.9 J/(g·°C). This relatively low value means aluminum heats up and cools down quickly compared to water.

What is the difference between specific heat at constant pressure and constant volume?

Specific heat at constant pressure (cp) is typically higher than at constant volume (cv) because energy is needed for both temperature increase and expansion work. For solids and liquids, the difference is usually small.

How do I calculate the energy needed to heat a substance?

Use the formula Q = mc×ΔT, where Q is energy, m is mass, c is specific heat capacity, and ΔT is temperature change. Multiply the mass by specific heat and temperature difference to get the required energy.

Can specific heat capacity be negative?

No, specific heat capacity is always positive. However, the heat energy Q can be negative when heat is removed from a substance (cooling), and temperature change can be negative when temperature decreases.