Heat Capacity

on . Posted in Thermodynamics

open system 1Heat capacity, abbreviated as C or \(c_p\), is the amount of enerigy required to increase the temperature of a substance by 1°C.  The heat gain or loss results in a change in temperature and the state and performance of work.  The heat capacity of a substance is an important property in thermodynamics as it helps to determine the amount of energy needed to heat or cool a substance or system.  It also influences the rate at which a substance changes temperature in response to thermal energy transfer.

Different substances and systems have different heat capacities due to variations in their molecular structure and composition.  The heat capacity of a substance may also vary with temperature, particularly for materials that undergo phase transitions or exhibit other complex thermal behavior.

 

Heat capacity formula

\( C =  \Delta Q \;/\; \Delta T \)     (Heat Capacity)

\( \Delta Q = C \; \Delta T  \)

\( \Delta T = \Delta Q\;/\; C \)

Symbol English Metric
\( C \) = heat capacity \(Btu\;/\;F\) \(kJ\;/\;K\)
\( \Delta Q \) = heat transfered amount \(Btu\;/\;hr\) \( W \)
\( \Delta T \) = temperature differential \( F \) \( K \)

 

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Tags: Thermal Conductivity Heat Heat Capacity