Specific heat capacity

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

1. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which helps regulate Earth's climate.
2. Specific heat capacity is measured in joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/g°C).
3. The high specific heat capacity of water allows it to absorb and release large amounts of heat with minimal temperature change.
4. Specific heat capacity plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in biological organisms by stabilizing internal temperatures.
5. Hydrogen bonding in water molecules contributes significantly to its high specific heat capacity.

Review Questions

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.