What is Specific Heat Capacity?
In GCSE Physics specific heat capacity is defined as the amount of energy required to change the temperature of one kilogram of a substance by one degree Celsius. This is the definition you are required to learn by most exam boards for your examinations.
An increase in the temperature of a system depends upon the mass of the substance being heated, the type of material of the substance and the amount of energy input into the system. Different substances have different specific heat capacities. A substance with a low specific heat capacity heats up and cools down quickly and requires less energy to change its temperature. A substance with a high specific heat capacity heats up and cools down more slowly so requires more energy to change the temperature.
The specific heat capacity of different substances determines how useful they would be for their specific purpose, such as choosing a material for kitchen appliances. Good electrical conductors such as copper are also good conductors of heat due to their low specific heat capacity. Water is ideal for heating homes because it is a substance with a high specific heat capacity as the water remains hot in a radiator for a long time.
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