Specific heat capacity

Specific Heat capacity is the heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1^oC (or one degree Kelvin). The SI units of measurement for this are Jg^-1K^-1.

Factors that influence heat capacity measurements:

• The heat of the substance. For example, measure the heat capacity of water produces different results if you start at 20^oC, or 60^oC.
• Inter-molecular forces. If a substance has relatively strong intermolecular forces (such as h-bonding in water), then the heat capacity is liable to be higher. In the case of solids this does not apply.

Heat capacity can be measured using Calorimetry

/Talk