Specific heat capacity:
Specific heat capacity measures how much heat energy is needed to raise the temperature of a substance by 1 degree Celsius (or 1 Kelvin). It's like a material's thermal inertia - how resistant it is to changes in temperature.
Key points:
Specific heat capacity is measured in joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg°C).
Different substances have different specific heat capacities. For example, water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it takes a lot of energy to heat up.
Specific heat capacity can be used to calculate how much heat energy is needed to change the temperature of a substance. This is important in many applications, such as heating and cooling systems.
Real-world examples:
Water has a high specific heat capacity, which is why it's used to cool engines and power plants. It can absorb a lot of heat without changing temperature too much.
Metals generally have low specific heat capacities, which is why they heat up quickly when placed in a hot environment. This is why metal pots and pans are good for cooking.
Remember: Specific heat capacity is an important property of matter, and it helps us understand how different substances behave when they are heated or cooled.
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