What does specific heat mean?

The energy required to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1 K. Water has one of the highest values at 4186 J/(kg·K).

Does this cover phase changes?

No. Q = mcΔT applies only when the substance stays in one phase. Phase changes use Q = mL where L is the latent heat.

Heat Transfer Calculator (Q = mcΔT)

Heat energy, mass, specific heat capacity or temperature change — solve any one.

Mass m (kg)

Specific heat c (J/(kg·K))

ΔT (K or °C)

Q (J) — leave blank to solve

Results

Formula

Q = m · c · ΔT
Q in joules, m in kg, c in J/(kg·K), ΔT in K or °C (the same numerical change).

Physics behind Q = mcΔT

Adding heat Q to a substance raises its temperature in proportion to mass and specific heat capacity. Water has an exceptionally large c, which is why oceans moderate climate and why kitchen kettles use more energy than you'd expect to boil a small amount of water. Note that ΔT may be expressed in kelvins or degrees Celsius — their size is identical.

Worked example

Heat 1 kg of water by 25 K

Q = 1·4186·25 = 104 650 J ≈ 104.65 kJ

FAQs

What is specific heat?

The energy to raise 1 kg by 1 K.

Does this handle phase changes?

No — those use Q = mL (latent heat).