Specific Heat Calculator
Solve Q = m c deltaT for heat energy, mass, specific heat, or temperature change. Presets for water, metals, glass, wood, air. Outputs J, kJ, cal, kcal, BTU.
Specific Heat Reference
| Material | Specific Heat | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 4.186 | J/(g·°C) |
| Aluminum | 0.897 | J/(g·°C) |
| Iron | 0.449 | J/(g·°C) |
| Copper | 0.385 | J/(g·°C) |
| Lead | 0.130 | J/(g·°C) |
| Air | 1.005 | J/(g·°C) |
Frequently Asked Questions about the Specific Heat Calculator
What is the specific heat formula?
Q = m x c x deltaT. Q is heat energy in joules, m is mass in kilograms, c is specific heat capacity in J/(kg K), and deltaT is the temperature change. Positive Q means heat is added, negative Q means heat is removed.
Why do K and degC give the same temperature change?
Kelvin and Celsius use the same degree size; only the zero point differs. A jump of 1 K equals a jump of 1 degC, so deltaT has the same numerical value in both units.
What is the specific heat of water and why is it so high?
Water has c = 4186 J/(kg K), one of the highest values for any common substance. Hydrogen bonds between water molecules absorb a lot of energy before the temperature rises. It takes about 209,300 J to heat 1 kg of water from 0 degC to 50 degC.
How do I convert joules to calories, kilocalories, or BTU?
1 calorie = 4.184 J, 1 kilocalorie (food calorie) = 4184 J, and 1 BTU = 1055.06 J. The calculator shows Q in joules, kilojoules, calories, kilocalories, and BTU simultaneously.
Why doesn't this formula work for phase changes like melting or boiling?
Q = m c deltaT only applies while a substance stays in one phase. During melting or boiling the temperature stays steady while latent heat is absorbed or released, so deltaT is zero. Use Q = m x L instead.
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