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Specific Heat Capacity
The thermal energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 K.
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Specific Heat Capacity
Specific heat capacity tells us how much energy a material needs to warm up.
For the same mass:
High specific heat capacity → harder to change temperature quickly
Low specific heat capacity → temperature changes more easily
Recommended for Class 10
Specific Heat Capacity
Different materials require different amounts of thermal energy to produce the same temperature rise.
For example, equal masses of water and metal may be supplied with the same amount of energy, but their temperatures may increase by different amounts.
This behaviour is described by specific heat capacity.
Definition
The specific heat capacity of a substance is the thermal energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of that substance by 1 K or 1°C.
Formula
**Q = mcΔT**
where:
Q = thermal energy transferred, J m = mass, kg c = specific heat capacity, J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ ΔT = temperature change
Rearranging:
**c = QmΔT**
Understanding the Concept
A material with a high specific heat capacity needs more energy to produce the same temperature increase.
Therefore:
High c → more energy needed per degree
Low c → less energy needed per degree
Worked Example
A 2 kg block receives 12,000 J of thermal energy and its temperature rises by 20 K.
**c = QmΔT**
**c = 120002 × 20**
**c = 300 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹**
Why Water Is Important
Water has a relatively high specific heat capacity.
It can absorb a considerable amount of thermal energy without undergoing a very large temperature rise. This makes water useful in cooling systems and contributes to the moderation of temperatures near large bodies of water.
Specific Heat Capacity — Advanced
From:
**ΔT = Qmc**
we can see that temperature rise is inversely related to specific heat capacity when energy and mass are fixed.
Specific heat capacity is a material property, while the total heat capacity of an object also depends on the object's mass.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes
- Mistake
Mistake: Using final temperature instead of temperature change. Correction: Use `ΔT = final − initial`.
- Mistake
Mistake: Confusing heat capacity with specific heat capacity. Correction: Specific heat capacity is defined per kilogram.
- Mistake
Mistake: Thinking high c means high temperature. Correction: It means more energy is needed to change temperature.
Revision Zone
60-Second Revision
Quick cues from this topic — use them for last-minute revision.
Definition: Energy required to raise 1 kg by 1 K.
Formula: Q = mcΔT
Unit: J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹
- Definition
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Practice
PQ
Q1. Define specific heat capacity.
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Q2. State its SI unit.
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Q3. 2 kg receives 6000 J and rises 10 K. Find c.
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Q4. Why does water warm relatively slowly?
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Q5. Find Q if m=2 kg, c=500 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ and ΔT=5 K.
Exam Practice
EQ
Q1. Define specific heat capacity.
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Q2. Write its equation and SI unit.
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Q3. Explain the meaning of a high specific heat capacity.
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Q4. A 3 kg block receives 18,000 J and warms by 20 K. Calculate c.
EQ
Q5. Why is water useful as a coolant?
School-standard facts for Matric and Intermediate. Original explanations — not copied from textbooks.