Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius (°C). It is often abbreviated as “Cp” or “SHC”.

Calculating specific heat capacity is important in physics because it allows us to determine how much heat is needed to change the temperature of a substance. This information can be used in a variety of real-life applications, such as in the design of heating and cooling systems, the study of energy transfer in thermodynamics, and the analysis of chemical reactions.

The formula for calculating specific heat capacity is:

Cp = (Q / m) / ΔT

where Cp is the specific heat capacity, Q is the amount of heat energy added to the substance, m is the mass of the substance, and ΔT is the change in temperature.

Yes, specific heat capacity can be used to compare the heat-absorbing abilities of different substances. Substances with a higher specific heat capacity require more heat energy to raise their temperature by one degree Celsius, while substances with a lower specific heat capacity require less heat energy.

In general, specific heat capacity is a constant property of a substance, meaning that it does not change with temperature or pressure. However, some substances, such as liquids and gases, can have a slightly changing specific heat capacity due to changes in their internal energy as their temperature changes.

Some common substances and their approximate specific heat capacities include:

Water: 4.18 J/g°C
Aluminum: 0.90 J/g°C
Iron: 0.45 J/g°C
Copper: 0.39 J/g°C
Gold: 0.13 J/g°C

Specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and thermal diffusivity are all properties that describe a substance’s ability to transfer heat. Specific heat capacity describes the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance, while thermal conductivity describes a substance’s ability to conduct heat through its interior. Thermal diffusivity describes a substance’s ability to spread heat through its interior.