Heat Capacity

Heat capacity, abbreviated as C or \(c_p\), is the amount of enerigy required to increase the temperature of a substance by 1°C.  The heat gain or loss results in a change in temperature and the state and performance of work.  The heat capacity of a substance is an important property in thermodynamics as it helps to determine the amount of energy needed to heat or cool a substance or system.  It also influences the rate at which a substance changes temperature in response to thermal energy transfer.

Different substances and systems have different heat capacities due to variations in their molecular structure and composition.  The heat capacity of a substance may also vary with temperature, particularly for materials that undergo phase transitions or exhibit other complex thermal behavior.

Heat Capacity Formula
\( C \;=\;  \Delta Q \;/\; \Delta T \)     (Heat Capacity) \( \Delta Q \;=\; C \; \Delta T  \) \( \Delta T \;=\; \Delta Q\;/\; C \)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( C \) = Heat Capacity	\(Btu\;/\;F\)	\(kJ\;/\;K\)
\( \Delta Q \) = Heat Transfered Amount	\(Btu\;/\;hr\)	\( W \)
\( \Delta T \) = Temperature Differential	\( F \)	\( K \)