Specific Heat Calculator

At a glance:The specific heat equation Q=m·c·ΔT is the basic thermal formula linking the heat transferred when an object's temperature changes to its mass, specific heat capacity and temperature change. Q is heat (J), m is mass (kg), c is specific heat capacity (J/(kg·K) — heat to raise 1 kg by 1 K), ΔT is the temperature change (K or °C, numerically equal). The sign of Q shows direction: ΔT>0 (heating) → Q>0 (absorbed); ΔT<0 (cooling) → Q<0 (released). Example: m=2 kg water, c=4186 J/(kg·K), ΔT=30 K → Q=2×4186×30=251,160 J (~251 kJ). Water has an unusually large specific heat (4186, far above metals like iron 450, aluminum 900, copper 385), so equal mass and heat change its temperature least — that is why oceans moderate climate, cars and computers use water/antifreeze to cool, and hot-water bottles stay warm. Notes: (1) c depends on material and phase (ice ~2100, water ~4186, steam ~2000 J/(kg·K)); (2) this formula applies only when no phase change occurs — during melting/boiling use latent heat Q=mL instead; (3) ΔT uses a temperature difference, so K or °C is interchangeable; (4) keep units consistent (kg with J/(kg·K)); (5) in thermal-equilibrium (mixing) problems, heat lost = heat gained (Qout=Qin).