Question about this formula (Q = m.C.ΔT)

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter fabrc
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Formula
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The quantity of heat (Q) is directly proportional to specific heat (C) as defined by the formula ΔQ = mCΔT. This relationship indicates that an increase in specific heat requires more heat to achieve a temperature change (ΔT) in a given mass (m). The confusion arises from misunderstanding proportionality; in this case, higher specific heat means more heat is necessary, confirming direct proportionality. An example of inverse proportionality is travel time, which is inversely related to speed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics concepts
  • Familiarity with the formula ΔQ = mCΔT
  • Basic knowledge of proportional relationships in mathematics
  • Concept of inverse proportionality
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of thermodynamics and heat transfer
  • Explore specific heat capacity in different materials
  • Learn about proportional relationships in physics
  • Investigate real-world applications of the formula ΔQ = mCΔT
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in physics, engineers working with thermal systems, and anyone interested in understanding heat transfer and thermodynamic principles.

fabrc
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Quantity of heat (Q) is directly proportional to specific heat (C)?

I thought that they would be inversely proportional because the higher the value of C, more heat is necessary to make a variation of temperature but somehow it seems wrong.

Help please! :confused:

Thanks!
 
Science news on Phys.org
fabrc said:
Quantity of heat (Q) is directly proportional to specific heat (C)?

I thought that they would be inversely proportional because the higher the value of C, more heat is necessary to make a variation of temperature but somehow it seems wrong.

The amount of heat needed to produce a temperature change of ##\Delta{T}## in a mass of ##m## of a substance with specific heat ##C## is given by ##\Delta{Q}=mC\Delta{T}##, right? The higher the value of ##C##, the more heat will be necessary, just as you say. That's a direct proportionality relationship by definition . An inversely proportional relationship would have either ##C## or ##\Delta{T}## in the denominator of a fraction.

Another example: travel time is directly proportional to distance and inversely proportional to speed (all else being the same, the greater the distance the greater the travel time and the greater the speed the less the travel time). These quantities are related by ##T=d/s## where ##T## is the travel time, ##d## is the distance traveled, and ##s## is the speed. Look at which one appears in the denominator of a fraction.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
I got it. Thanks, Nugatory!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
6K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K