Definition 

Heat capacity is defined as the amount of heat energy required to change the temperature of a substance by a specified amount, often by one degree Celsius (°C) or Kelvin (K). It is therefore a measurement of the amount of thermal energy a material can store.

Heat Capacity Formula

The heat Capacity formula is given as the multiplication of mass, specific heat, and change in the temperature which can be mathematically represented as:

Q = mcΔT

Where,

• Q = the heat capacity in Joules

• m = the mass in grams

• c = the specific heat of an object in J/g °C

• ΔT = the change in the temperature in °C

The heat capacity problem can be applied for calculating the heat capacity, mass or temperature difference of any substance.

The Heat Capacity is defined in Joule per Kelvin (J/K).

Note: In the Heat capacity, we take specific amount of mass and the mass may be any amount.

Solved Problems

Problem 1: Determine the heat capacity of copper of mass 70 g and the temperature difference is 20°C if 300 J of heat is lost.

Solution:

Given:

Mass m = 70 g,

Temperature difference T = 20°C,

Heat lost Δ Q = 300 J

the Heat capacity formula is given by

Q = mc ΔT

c= 300 / 20

c= 15 J/°C

Problem 2: Determine the heat capacity of 3000 J of heat is used to heat the iron rod of mass 10 Kg from 20°C to 40°C.

Solution:

Given,

Mass m = 10 Kg,

Temperature difference Δ T = 20°C,

Heat lost ΔQ = 3000 J

The Heat capacity formula is given by,

Q = mc ΔT

c= 3000 / 20

c= 150 J/°C

Heat capacity plays a very important role in understanding thermodynamics, engineering, or even environmental science, concerning how energy might transfer, change temperature, or be characteristic of materials.

 

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