\[Q=mc\Delta T\]
Variables
Qheat energy transferred (J)
mmass (kg)
cspecific heat capacity (J/kg·K)
dT[ΔT]temperature change (K)
Description
What is this formula?
The specific heat energy formula calculates the amount of thermal energy required to change the temperature of a substance. The required energy depends on the mass of the material, its specific heat capacity, and the temperature change.
When to use it
Use this formula when determining heating or cooling energy requirements for solids, liquids, or gases when no phase change occurs.
Example
Given:
m = 2.0 kg
c = 4186 J/kg·K
ΔT = 15 K
Formula:
Q = mcΔT
Substitution:
Q = 2.0 × 4186 × 15
Result:
Q = 125580 J
Applications
Water heating systems, industrial process heating, calorimetry, thermal storage analysis, HVAC systems, energy management, and thermodynamic calculations.