230C

1kg of water
 A B
1kg of 4kg
of
water
water
Figure below shows three objects with different heat
capacities because different amounts of heat are
required to raise their temperature by 10C.
10C increase
4kg in
10C
2kg Al temperature 4kg
increase in
Al temperatur Pb 10C increase in
e temperature

3600 J of heat
1800 J 520 J of heat
of heat

Although A and B are both made from aluminium,

they have different heat capaties because the
masses are different.
It is because the metal and plastic
have different heat capacity
The specific heat capacity
of a substance is the
amount of heat that must
be supplied to increase the
temperature 10C for a mass
of 1kg of the substance
The formula for specific heat
capacity is given by
Therefore, the quantity of heat absorbed or lost
from a body is given by
Some substances have higher specific heat
capacities than others. Table below lists the
specific heat capacities of some common
Substance Specific heat capacity, c (J.kg-1°C-
1)

Solids
Ice (at -15°C) 2000
Aluminium 900
Glass 840
Iron 452
Copper 387
Silver 235
Lead 128
Liquids
Water (at 15°C) 4200
Ethyl alcohol 2450
Benzene 2410
Gas
Steam 2010
How much heat energy required to raise the
temperature of a 3kg sheet of glass from
240C to 360C?

Specific
Answer : capacity of glass = 840 J Kg C .
-1 -1

Given m= 3kg
change in temperature =36-24=120C
Using Q= mcθ

Heat energy required, Q

Q= mcθ
= 3 x 840 x 12 = 30 240 J
The bulb of a thermometer contains 3.4g
mercury. What amount of heat required
to raise the temperature of the mercury
from 300C to 1000C?

Answer: 33 J
When an object is heated by an
electrical heater of power, P ,over a
period of time, t, the amount of heat
energy supplied is given by

Q=Pt

The formula

Q = mcθ become Pt = mcθ