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Specific Heat Capacity Calculator

Work out specific heat capacity instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Specific Heat Capacity Calculator

Specific heat capacity is the heat needed per kilogram per kelvin, so it follows from c = Q/(m.dT). 20 kJ raising 2 kg by 12 K gives 833 J/(kg K), in the range of glass and aluminium. Water's 4186 J/(kg K) is exceptionally high, which is why it makes such an effective coolant and thermal store.

Formulas

Specific heat capacity

c = Q / (m x dT)

Sample heat capacity

C = m x c

Worked example

With the default values below, Specific Heat Capacity Calculator returns Specific Heat Capacity of 833.33. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Heat suppliedminimum 0 J
20,000 J
Mass heatedminimum 0 kg
2 kg
Temperature riseminimum 0 K
12 K

Results

Specific Heat Capacity
833.33 J/(kg K)
Heat Capacity Of This Sample
1,666.67 J/K
Same Value Per Gram
0.8333 J/(g K)
Consistent With
Aluminium, glass or concrete range

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Specific heat capacity
  3. 3Sample heat capacity
  4. 4Specific Heat Capacity= 833.33 J/(kg K)
  5. 5Heat Capacity Of This Sample= 1,666.67 J/K
  6. 6Same Value Per Gram= 0.8333 J/(g K)
  7. 7Consistent With= Aluminium, glass or concrete range

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is water's value so high?

Hydrogen bonding stores energy in bond bending and stretching as well as molecular motion, so more energy is needed per degree.

Does specific heat change with temperature?

Somewhat. For solids it rises towards the Dulong-Petit limit and falls sharply near absolute zero, but over ordinary ranges a constant value is fine.

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