SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY

The heat capacity of a body is the amount of

heat that must be supplied to the increase
its temperature by 1oC.

A large piece of stone will have a larger

heat capacity than a small pebble
The water in a swimming pool has a larger
heat capacity than the water in a glass

specific heat capacity of a

substance is the amount of heat
that must be supplied to increase
the temperature by 1oC for a
mass of 1 kg of the substance.

SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY, c

OF SUBSTANCES
Substances Specific Heat Capacity, c ( JKg-1o C-1)
Water
Alcohol
Sand
Glass
Copper

4200
2400
840
670
460
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If m = mass of substance
c
Q

=
=
=

specific heat capacity

heat energy
change of temperature

We can state that Q = mc

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When an object is heated by an electrical

heater of power, P, over a period of time, t,
the amount of heat energy supplied is given
by

Q Pt
The formula

Q mc

becomes

Pt mc

 The specific heat

capacity of water is 4200
J kg -1 o C -1

Meaning that it takes

4200 J of energy to
heat up 1 kg of water
by 1 oC

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The experiment to determine spesific heat of aluminium

Procedure:
1. Set up apparatus as above.
2. Insert an immersion heater and a thermometer in the holes.
3. Fill the holes by oil
4. Record the initial temperature, T1.
5. Switch on the power and heat the aluminium block for 5 minute
6. Switch off the power and record the final (highest) temperature, T2

Data;
Power supply, P = 25 w
Time for heating, t = 5 minute
Mass of aluminium block, m = 1kg
Initial temperature, T1 = 28.0 oC :
Final temperature, T2 = 36.0 oC
Question:
1. Why does oil fill the holes?
2. What is the function of tissue paper which surrounded the
block?
3. The reading of thermometer was still rising although the
power has already switched off. Why?
4. State the changes of energy.
5. Calculate the specific heat of the aluminium block.

Application of Specific Heat

Capacity

Application of Specific Heat Capacity

Car
Radiator

Air

Cooling
fins

Radiator fan

HEAT

Pump

Engine
cylinder

A car engine produces a great amount of heat

Water is pumped into engine cylinder to absorb heat
The hot water is cooled by air drawn by the radiator fan
Question: Why does water is used as a cooling agent?
Water has a large specific heat capacity. It can absorb a large amount
of heat without a high increase in temperature

Sea Breeze
3. The air on
surface of sea is
cool. The
pressure is
higher
1. Water
absorbs heat

4. The wind
blows from the
sea (P higher) to
the land (P
lower)

2. Sea/water hot
slowly (c is
bigger)

Discussion: The phenomenon of LAND BREEZE

3. The air on
surface of land
is too hot. The
pressure is
lower
1.Land
absorbs heat

2. Land hot
faster (c is
smaller)

SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY, C (Jkg-1oC-1)

Quantity of heat required to raise temperature of an object by 1 oC

R
P

Q
Question 1: List the sections of cooker which have this elements;
a) Heat quickly (c is lower)
b) Heat slowly (c is higher)

SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY, C (Jkg-1oC-1)

Q= mcT
c =

H
mT

Defination

Quantity of heat required by 1 kg of

substance to rise its temperature by 1 oC

Material

c, Jkg-1oC-1

Aluminium

910

Copper

390

Alcohol

2400

Water

4200

What is the meaning of 910 Jkg-1oC-1 for aluminium?

= 1 kg aluminium will absorbs 910 J heat to raise its temperature by 1 oC

How much heat energy is required to raise the

temperature of a 4 kg iron bar from 32 oC to
52oC?.
[Specific heat capacity of iron = 452 J kg-1 oC-1]
Solution:
Mass , m= 4 kg
Change in temperature, = (52-32) = 20oC

Q mc
Q = 4 x 452 x 20
= 36160 J

 A bottle containing 1.5 kg of water at 34 oC is put

into a refrigerator. What is the temperature of the
water after 1.575 x 105J of heat has been
removed from the water?.
[Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J kg-1 oC-1]
Solution:
Mass , m=1.5 kg
Heat energy = 1.575 x 105J
Change in temperature, =

Q mc
1.575 x 105 = 1.5 x 4200 x
= 25oC
Final temperature of water = 34 25
= 9oC

An electric kettle has a power rating of 2.4 kW. How long

does it take the kettle to heat up 4.5 kg of tap water from
28oC to 100oC?. What assumption must you make to
arrive at the answer?
[Specific heat capacity of water = 4200 J kg-1 oC-1]
Solution:
Power of kettle, P = 2.4 kW = 2400 W
Mass of water, m = 4.5 kg
Change in temperature, = 100-28 = 72oC

Q mc

Pt mc
2400 x t = 4.5 x 4200 x 72
t = 567 s

Problem solving
When preparing instant cup
noodle, Aminah pours 300 g
of water at 90 oC onto 75 g of
noodle at 20 oC in a
polystyrene cup. Estimate the
temperature of the mixture
soon after mixing? (given S.H.C
of noodles is 1700 J kg -1 oC-1)

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Solution
Heat loss by water = Heat gain by noodle
0.3 X 4200 X ( 90 T ) = 0.075 X 1700 X ( T 20 )

T =

83. 6 oC

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Study this situation

Q: What is your
inference?
A: HEAT depends on
the MASS of water

H = mcT
Temp, T =

Type of material @ c =

Mass of material, m =

Q: What is your hypothesis?

H = mcT

@Hm

(c = T = constant/fix)

A: The HEAT increases as the MASS is increased

Q: Describe an experiment to test your hypothesis using a beaker,

water and other apparatus.
Beaker
Hot water
Metal
blocks
Heat

Thermometer

Pendek..kar Bujang Lapok