Understanding Specific Heat Capacity

4.2

Understanding Specific Heat Capacity

	Heat capacity, C
	The quantity of heat energy required to raise the temperature by \(1\,^0\text{C}\).

	Specific heat capacity, c
	The heat energy required to raise the temperature of \(1\text{ kg}\) by \(1\,^0\text{C}\) or \(1\text{ K}\)

	Formula
	\(Q=mc\Delta\theta\), where \(Q\) = energy, \(m\) = mass, \(c\) = specific heat capacity, \(\Delta\theta\) = change in temperature

Applications of specific heat capacity

Water as cooling agent in car engine
- water has high specific heat capacity
- able to absorb more heat without raising its temperature
Kitchenware
- Handle: Higher specific heat capacity, heat up slower
- Base: Lower specific heat capacity, heat up faster
Sea breeze
- During the day, land heat up faster than sea water (\(c_{land} < c_{sea}\))
- Warm air rises, lower pressure on land
- Cooler air flows from sea to land
Land breeze
- During the night, land cool down faster than sea water (\(c_{land} < c_{sea}\))
- Warm air rises, lower pressure on sea
- Cooler air flows from land to sea