Understanding Heat Capacity of Different States: Water, Ice, and Steam

[Kyoma]

I have just learned 'heat capacity'. But I'm curious: does heat capacity apply to a substance's current state (solid, liquid or gas) or does it apply to all of its state?

eg. Water has a specific heat capacity of 4200 J kg^-1 K^-1, so does that mean ice and steam both have similar heat capacity as water?

 

[RoyalCat]

Nope, that figure you cited is the specific heat capacity of liquid water. Note that it varies slightly as a function of temperature, most noticeably near freezing point (Although even then it is a negligible variation).

For reference, the heat capacities of ice and steam can be found here:
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/water-thermal-properties-d_162.html

 

[Kyoma]

So, heat capacity of ice and steam is not the same as liquid water? Don't understand what you are talking about

 

[Borek]

So, heat capacity of ice and steam is not the same as liquid water?

Yes, they are different.