Specific Heat Capacity — GCSE Physics Revision
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Go to Energy Changes in SystemsWhat is Specific Heat Capacity?
Specific heat capacity is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1kg of a substance by 1°C. It is a measure of how much thermal energy a substance can store. Water has a high specific heat capacity, which is why it is used in central heating systems.
Board notes: Covered by all major boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR) at both Foundation and Higher tiers.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
How much energy is needed to heat 2kg of water from 20°C to 100°C? The specific heat capacity of water is 4200 J/kg°C. Solution: Energy = mass x specific heat capacity x change in temperature. Energy = 2kg x 4200 J/kg°C x (100°C - 20°C) = 672,000J or 672kJ.
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Common mistakes
- 1Confusing specific heat capacity with heat capacity. Specific heat capacity is per kilogram of the substance.
- 2Using the wrong units. Specific heat capacity is measured in J/kg°C (Joules per kilogram per degree Celsius).
- 3Forgetting to include the change in temperature in the calculation. The formula requires the change in temperature, not just the final temperature.
Specific Heat Capacity exam questions
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Specific Heat Capacity
Core concept
Specific heat capacity is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1kg of a substance by 1°C. It is a measure of how much thermal energy a substance can store. Water has a high specif…
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for specific heat capacity?
The formula is: Change in Thermal Energy (J) = Mass (kg) x Specific Heat Capacity (J/kg°C) x Change in Temperature (°C).
Why does a sandy beach get hotter than the sea on a sunny day?
Sand has a lower specific heat capacity than water. This means it takes less energy to raise the temperature of sand, so it heats up and cools down much more quickly than the sea.