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Heat energy and specific heat capacity

To heat up a substance requires energy. This energy increases the internal energy of the substance by increasing the kinetic energy of its molecules and so the temperature of the substance rises.
The amount of heat energy needed to change the temperature of a substance depends on:
(a) what the substance is;
(b) how much of it is being heated;
(c) what rise in temperature occurs.

The heat energy needed to raise the temperature of an object by 1 K is called the HEAT CAPACITY of the object.

The SPECIFIC HEAT CAPACITY of a substance is the heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of the substance by 1K (or by 1oC).
 
 
 
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© Keith Gibbs 2009