Specific heat capacity
For one substance, heat capacity is proportional to mass: double the mass and the heat capacity doubles. So the heat capacity of a unit mass is a property of the substance itself.
Specific heat capacity
The specific heat capacity of a substance is the heat needed to raise the temperature of a unit mass of it by one unit. Its unit is J kg-1 K-1 or J kg-1 °C-1, and it is written c.
Heat capacity = mass × specific heat capacity
C = mc
Table 9.1 — specific heat capacities
| Substance | c (J kg-1 K-1) |
|---|---|
| Water | 4200 |
| Alcohol | 2500 |
| Coconut oil | 2200 |
| Kerosene | 2140 |
| Ice | 2100 |
| Rubber | 1700 |
| Concrete | 3000 |
| Aluminium | 900 |
| Asbestos | 820 |
| Iron | 460 |
| Copper | 400 |
| Zinc | 380 |
| Mercury | 140 |
| Lead | 130 |
Water's specific heat capacity is the largest in the table: it takes a lot of heat to warm water, and it gives out a lot as it cools.