Heat Capacity and specific heat

AI Thread Summary
Specific heat and heat capacity are distinct concepts in thermodynamics. Heat capacity refers to an object's ability to store heat, measured in joules per degree Celsius (J/°C), while specific heat capacity is a material property that indicates how much heat is required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance, measured in joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg°C). The correct formula for heat capacity is C = mc, where C is heat capacity, m is mass, and c is specific heat capacity. It's important to note that "specific heat" is often incorrectly used to refer to specific heat capacity. Understanding these definitions is crucial for accurate calculations in thermal physics.
garyd
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Homework Statement



I am confused about what the difference between specific heat and heat capacity is. I have a block of metal (Aluminium) which I had to record dimensions and calculate the heat capacity of the block.
I am just wondering am I doing the correct calculation?

Homework Equations



Heat capacity = specific heat * mass (units J/°C)
 
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Correct use of the vocabulary:
"heat capacity" is an object property ... the block ... units J/K , symbol C , formula mc
"specific heat capacity" is a material property ... aluminum... , units J/kgK, symbol c , (formula C/m)
(if the mass has been divided out, it is called "specific", ... as "specific impulse" of a propellant material).
"specific heat capacity" is often improperly shortened to "specific heat".
 
lightgrav said:
Correct use of the vocabulary:
"heat capacity" is an object property ... the block ... units J/K , symbol C , formula mc
"specific heat capacity" is a material property ... aluminum... , units J/kgK, symbol c , (formula C/m)
(if the mass has been divided out, it is called "specific", ... as "specific impulse" of a propellant material).
"specific heat capacity" is often improperly shortened to "specific heat".

Thanks very much.
 
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