Chapter U5.5, Problem 1E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The specific heat capacity of a substance needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction :

The heat capacity of a sample of the substance divided by the mass of the sample is known as the specific heat capacity of the substance.

Explanation of Solution

The specific heat capacity is the amount of energy that should be added to one unit of mass of the substance in order to increase the temperature by one unit.

The symbol for specific heat capacity is c. The unit for specific heat is joules per gram per degree $\left({\text{J/g}}^{\text{o}}\text{C}\right)$ or calories per gram per degree $\left({\text{cal/g}}^{\text{o}}\text{C}\right)$ .

For example, the specific heat capacity of water is 4.18 J/g⁰C.

It is related to mass, heat transferred and change in temperature as follows:

  $q=mc\Delta T$

Or,

  $c=\frac{q}{m\Delta T}$

Here, q is the amount of heat transferred; m is mass and $\Delta T$ is temperature.