What is Heat capacity: Definition and 437 Discussions

Heat capacity or thermal capacity is a physical property of matter, defined as the amount of heat to be supplied to an object to produce a unit change in its temperature. The SI unit of heat capacity is joule per kelvin (J/K).
Heat capacity is an extensive property. The corresponding intensive property is the specific heat capacity, found by dividing the heat capacity of an object by its mass. Dividing the heat capacity by the amount of substance in moles yields its molar heat capacity. The volumetric heat capacity measures the heat capacity per volume. In architecture and civil engineering, the heat capacity of a building is often referred to as its thermal mass .

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  1. D

    Specific Heat Capacity? Calorimeter

    im doing a calorimeter experiment and need to find the specific heat capacity of the calorimeter, but always gets a negative answer. Initial temp = 23 C Final temp = 60 C Change in temp = 37 C Mass of calorimeter = 0.027645kg Mass of water = 0.1kg Specific heat capacity water = 4200...
  2. D

    Acids/Bases Specific Heat Capacity: 4.18J?

    if I am doing a reaction of acids and bases, do i just use the specific heat capacity of 4.18J, or is there a different one for different solutions?!?
  3. P

    What is the effect on water temperature when pasta is added to boiling water?

    Homework Statement The specific heat capacity of Albertsons pasta is approximately 1.8 J/g*C degrees. Suppose you toss 340 g of this pasta (at 25 degrees celsuis) into 1.5 liters of boiling water. What effect does this have on the temperature of water. (before there is time for stove to...
  4. V

    Specific heat capacity at constant pressure

    I've read that: specific heat capacity at constant pressure = dU-W / m. dT dU = change in internal energy W = work done m = mass of gas dT = change in temperature ----------------------------------- However, shouldn't the right hand side equate to specific heat capacity at...
  5. T

    Derive heat capacity at constant pressure

    Homework Statement For temperatures T >> T_C (critical temperature) derive the heat capacity at constant pressure C_P from van der Waals equation. Homework Equations Critical temperature: T_C = \frac{2N(V - Nb)^2}{kV^2} T_C is derived from the fact that it exist at the point in which...
  6. A

    What is the heat capacity of the tires of the car?

    1. Assume that a car who has a mass of 1000kg (including driver) is initially rolling freely (without using the engine) down a 30° slope at a speed of 5m/s. The brakes are used causing the car to stop after 10 m. Find the HEAT CAPACITY of the brakes if they rise in temperature by 10 K...
  7. S

    Heat Capacity/ Density/ Conductivity

    Hi guys, Just like to check with you: How does heat capacity, density and conductivity plays a part in the melting of a certain material. I mean, if a material has a lower heat capacity, while other factors are the same, does that mean it will melt faster compared to one with a higher...
  8. H

    Specifict Heat capacity of Air.

    Homework Statement What is the the specific heat capacity at constant volume of Air?, with temperature 300k and pressure = 1 atm. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Do I assume that this is a diatomic ideal gas and thus Cv = 5/2 ? Thanks.
  9. M

    Physics: Specific heat capacity of a solid

    Homework Statement The diagram below shows a one-dimensional row of 5 microscopic objects each of mass 410-26 kg, connected by forces that can be modeled by springs of stiffness 26 N/m (so each object can be modeled as if it were connected to a single spring of effective stiffness 4ks = 104 N/m...
  10. J

    Thermodyanmics, specific heat capacity

    Homework Statement a 4kg iron hammer is initally 700 degree celcius is droppped into a bucket containing 20kg of water at 25degree celcius. what is the final temperture Homework Equations q=mc(delta)T The Attempt at a Solution m1=4kg m2=20kg T1=700=973K T2=25=298 i know...
  11. E

    Specific heat capacity of steel?

    Does anyone know where I might be able to find the specific heat capacity of steel (in English units)? Thank you!
  12. A

    Heat and Internal Energy and Heat and Temperature Change: Specific Heat Capacity

    Homework Statement When you take a bath, how many kilograms of hot water (49°C) must you mix with cold water (12°C) so that the temperature of the bath is 36°C? The total mass of water (hot plus cold) is 191 kg. Ignore any heat flow between the water and its external surroundings. Temperature...
  13. M

    Rotational contribution to heat capacity

    Hi all, I have to determine the contribution from rotational partition function. I have determined the rotational partition function as q_{rot} = \frac{T}{\omega}*(1+\frac{1}{3}(\frac{\omega}{T}+\frac{1}{15}(\frac{\omega}{T})^2+...) where T >> omega and the expansion is...
  14. M

    Understanding the Relationship between Heat Capacity and Internal Energy

    Hi all, I have to show that the heat capacity can be expressed as Cv = Nk(1+1/45(Om/T)^2 + ...) where the internal energy is given as E = NkT*(1-(Om/(3T)-1/45(Om/T)^2) Normally I would just differentiate but if I do this I get something completely different - how to proceed any...
  15. D

    Specific Heat Capacity and final temperature

    I am stuck on my Physics work. I have already completed the first 10 questions but I do not understand these, can someone please help me with a method of how to find out. 1. When 0.25kg or water at 70C is mixed with water at 20C the final temperature of the mixture is 30C. find the mass of...
  16. G

    Specific heat capacity for a monocromatic gas

    is there another way of considering the specific heat capaciaty of a material (many gas) other than with respect to the number of degrees of freedom with gives a constant out put for all monocrmatic gases for all temperature and pressure. For a monocromatic gas c=(3/2)*n*R*m where m = mass...
  17. C

    Specific Heat Capacity & Temperature

    This is not a homework question, just a question about physics that seems too basic to post in the main physics discussion forum. Please let me know if it is misplaced. Temperature is average molecular kinetic energy. Is it therefore correct to say that a material's specific heat capacity...
  18. M

    Chemistry/physics-molar heat capacity?

    Chemistry/physics--molar heat capacity? Homework Statement When 5.00 J of heat are added to 1.50 g of cobalt, its temperature rises by 3.42 degree celsius. What is the molar heat capacity o cobalt in J mol-1 K-1? A) 0.710 B) 0.875 C) 2.30 D) 57.4 P.S. if your answer is A, please...
  19. S

    Specific Heat Capacity question

    Homework Statement If 100 mL test of water at 60°C is added to 100 mL of water at 20°C, then the final temperature of the water will be? Homework Equations c=Specific Heat Capacity Specific Heat Capacity of water = 4186 Quantity of Heat Energy=mass * Specific Heat Capacity of...
  20. A

    Which Liquid to Choose Based on Heat Capacity for Safety?

    Suppose there were two containers on a table, each containing a liquid with equal temperature (relatively high), density, viscosity, and volume (1-5 L). One liquid, however, has a much higher heat capacity than the other. If forced to choose a liquid and have it poured over you, which one...
  21. U

    Heat Capacity / Debye Temperature

    Homework Statement We are looking at the molar heat capacity, Cv, of copper over temperatures from 1-300K After plotting the numbers and looking at T from 1-15K, then fitting that to a curve. We have to find what the constants \beta and \gamma are in ... Cv=\gammaT + \betaT_{3} Where...
  22. B

    Calculating Specific Heat Capacity & Heat Measurement of HCl

    What is the specific heat capacity of HCl when given the following information: Volume: 50mL Initial Temp: 20 *C Final Temp: 26* C What is the heat measurement in Joules as well? What is the specific heat capacity of HCl when given the following information: Volume: 100mL Initial Temp...
  23. F

    Heat Capacity and First Thermodynamic Law

    I have a question about the deduction of First Thermodynamic Law. The book that I have is written by Paul A. Tipler and Gene Mosca and it is called Physics: For Scientists and Engineers. The way to deduct it is given here: @constant volume, Qv=Cv(T2-T1) Because W=0, E2-E1=Cv(T2-T1)...
  24. F

    Maxwell relations with heat capacity.

    Maxwell relations with heat capacity. Solved. 1. Homework Statement Use the Maxwell relations and the Euler chain relation to express (ds/dt)p in terms of the heat capacity Cv = (du/dt)v. The expansion coefficient alpha = 1/v (dv/dt)p, and the isothermal compressibility Kt = -1/v (dV/dp)T...
  25. F

    Maxwell relations with heat capacity

    Homework Statement Use the Maxwell relations and the Euler chain relation to express (ds/dt)p in terms of the heat capacity Cv = (du/dt)v. The expansion coefficient alpha = 1/v (dv/dt)p, and the isothermal compressibility Kt = -1/v (dV/dp)T. Hint. Assume that S= S(p,V) Homework Equations...
  26. C

    The heat capacity of an ideal gas.

    The question states: For an ideal gas ∂U/∂V=0. Show that this implies the heat capacity _{}CV of an ideal gas is independent of volume. I can't wrap my mind around how I could answer this question besides just stating the obvious. The expression for heat capacity is: _{}CV=∂U/∂T (with v...
  27. L

    Specific heat capacity (Calorimetry)

    [SOLVED] Specific heat capacity (Calorimetry) Homework Statement When a driver brakes an automobile, friction between the brake disks and the brake pads converts part of the car's translational kinetic energy to internal energy. If a 1500 kg automobile traveling at 32 m/s comes to a halt...
  28. H

    What is the specific heat capacity of the petroleum?

    Homework Statement A copper calorimeter with the heatcapacity of 75 J/K has 300 g of petrolium in it. The starttemp. is 17.8 C. A kobberweight of 100 g. is 100Celcius. It is being put in the petroleum, where the temperature ends up being 22 C. The specifik heatcapacity of coppe ris 387J(kg/K)...
  29. S

    Heat Capacity of Air at Constant Volume

    Hi I have an ongoing dispute with my mate on this one, please help to clarify this before I open up a can of whoop ass on that sorry mo-fo. 300 litres of air are compressed into a 3 litre tank. What is the heat capacity of this air? Thanks in advance.
  30. S

    Specific Heat capacity of solid NaOH?

    Hello, I'm really having trouble figuring out the specific heat capacity of solid NaOH. Any help is apprieciated. Thanks
  31. N

    Specific Heat Capacity and Change in Internal Energy

    Homework Statement I'm having trouble with the following two problems: 1. A jar of tea is placed in the sunlight until it reaches an equilibrium temperature of 32*C. In an attempt to cool the liquid, which has a mass of .180kg, .112 kg of ice at 0*C is added. At the time at which the...
  32. I

    Heat capacity at constant volume explanation

    Homework Statement Explain what is meant by the heat capacity at constant volume, CV, and the heat capacity at constant pressure, CP. How are these two properties related for an ideal gas? Why is CP generally greater than CV Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution...
  33. G

    Molar Heat Capacity at Constant Pressure Understanding

    If I apply 200 J of energy as heat to 4 moles of an ideal gas at constant pressure and the temperature rises by 4 K, then the molar heat capacity at constant pressure will be Cp = Q / (n * deltaT) = 200 / (4 x 4) = 12.5 J K mol Am I on the right lines here?
  34. G

    .Verifying Heat Capacity at Constant Pressure and Volume

    Can someone confirm if my understanding of heat capacity is correct - particulary at constant volume and pressure? My understanding is that for a system to experience a rise in temperature either its pressure or its volume must remain constant. If either of these is allowed to expand...
  35. S

    How Can You Calculate the Temperature-Dependent Heat Capacity of Ethyl Acetate?

    I need the heat capacity Ethyl Acetate as a function of temperature. I've seen books that give heat capacity as a function of functional group, but the problem is they are only at one temperature. What I basically need is some coefficients that would fit into the equation Cp= A +BT+CT^2+DT^-2...
  36. J

    Specific Heat Capacity of Aluminium

    Hi all, I am currently in the process of writing up my AS coursework investigation of finding the specific heat capacity of Aluminium, and am a bit stuck at explaining some of my results. My results for the SHC of Aluminium are lower than the published values. My value: 700.93 JKgC...
  37. T

    Finding Literature Heat Capacity Values

    I need to find the heat capacities of CO2 (g), CH4 (g), C3H8 (g) , HCl (g) Al (s) , Ag (s) , Ti (s) if anyone can post a link or let me know what the heat capacities of these substances are I'd greatly appreciate it
  38. G

    Assumption true on specific heat capacity?

    Is my assumption here true? Does having a higher specific heat capacity mean that the object will be a better conductor of heat?
  39. G

    Specific Heat Capacity Answer Wrong, yet no error to be found

    Homework Statement My teacher instructed my class to conduct an experiment to determine the specific heat capacity of Brass, Copper, Aluminium, and Steel. The following setup was used: http://mypage.bluewin.ch/gutter/diagram1.JPG The following method was used: 1.) The electric heater...
  40. G

    Specific Heat Capacity of a brass cylinder

    Homework Statement The temperature of a brass cylinder of mass 100g was raised to 100 degree celsius and then transferred to a thin aluminium can of negligible heat capacity. The aluminium can contained 150g of paraffin at 11 degree celcius. If the final steady temperature after stirring was...
  41. M

    Specific heat capacity and latent heat of fusion

    help! need help here because my answers are different from the answer on the book. just wanted to make sure that i am right. these are the problems: 1. How much heat is needed tor aise the temperature by 10 deg celsius of 5 kg og a substance of specific heat capacity 300J/kg deg celsius? what...
  42. N

    Specific Heat Capacity - high pressure gas

    I am designing a cracking furnace to crack Ethylene Dichloride. the furnace is at around 500 C and 2 M Pa. To perform an energy balance I need the specific heat capacity of the EDC at the aforementioned temperature and pressure. I can only find it at standard conditions and can find no way of...
  43. J

    Relation between Heat Capacity and Polarizability?

    My thinking is, when a fairly non-periodic, non-polar compound is subjected to an electric field, dipoles emerge, and although they're all in the same direction, since the arangement of atoms in the substance isn't that regular, then the electric field inside will be non-uniform (on the...
  44. I

    The Conceptual Side of Specific Heat Capacity

    I am a beginner in thermodynamics; all I know is how heat is transferred, rotational/translational/vibrational/internal energy, and the law of conservation of energy. I recently learned about specific heat capacity, and I was wondering: why is it that different substances convert varying ratios...
  45. F

    Specific Heat Capacity of metals

    Hi. Was wondering if anyone knew where i could find a list of the metals and their specific heat capacities. All i have found is this one: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/specific-heat-metals-d_152.html but i would like one that deals with all the metals Thanks
  46. N

    Heat Capacity and Energy supplied

    I'm stuck on some basic physics... I'm using the formula E=mc (delta T/delta t) where E is energy, m is mass, c is specific heat, T is temperature and t is time, to calculate the energy used in heating a volume of air to a certain temperature. Assuming that pressure is of that at sea...
  47. G01

    Heat Engine with Finite Heat Capacity- Is my answer correct?

    1. A heat engine is run with a large block of metal as a reservoir with initial temperature T_i and constant heat capacitance C. The ocean is used as a cold reservoir, with constant temperature T_0. What is the maximum work that could be done by the engine in terms of T_i T_0 and C 2. C =...
  48. U

    Deriving heat capacity using thermodynamics identity

    Homework Statement Use the thermodynamic identity to derive the heat capacity formula C_V=T\frac{\partial{S}}{\partial{T}}_VHomework Equations C_V=\frac{\partial{U}}{\partial{T}} T=\frac{\partial{U}}{\partial{S}} dU=TdS-PdV+\mudN The Attempt at a Solution I used...
  49. D

    Heat capacity problem-wher am i going wrong?

    Homework Statement Hi,so iv tried the following question and think my general methodology is correct but the final answer i am getting is wrong.ne ideas? Homework Equations Question:a styrofoam cup contains 200g of water at 20 degrees celsius.What will be the equilibrium temp of the...
  50. A

    What is R in the Debye Heat Capacity Equation?

    I am currently re-reading an old textbook on thermal physics and they have listed the final result for calculating the Debye Heat Capacity as C =9R(T/ThetaD)^3*Integral((z^4*e^z dz)/(e^z-1)^2, 0-->ThetaD/T) But they fail to mention what the R in this equation is, Could some one please tell...
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