Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius. It reflects how well a substance can store thermal energy.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Water has a high specific heat capacity, which helps regulate Earth's climate.
Specific heat capacity is measured in joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/g°C).
The high specific heat capacity of water allows it to absorb and release large amounts of heat with minimal temperature change.
Specific heat capacity plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in biological organisms by stabilizing internal temperatures.
Hydrogen bonding in water molecules contributes significantly to its high specific heat capacity.
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Related terms
Latent Heat: The amount of heat required to change the state of a substance without changing its temperature.
Thermal Conductivity: A measure of how well a material conducts heat.
Heat Capacity: The total amount of heat required to raise the temperature of an entire object or system by one degree Celsius.