EnergyDefinitions

Key Definitions

Part of Specific Heat CapacityGCSE Physics

This definitions covers Key Definitions within Specific Heat Capacity for GCSE Physics. Revise Specific Heat Capacity in Energy for GCSE Physics with 15 exam-style questions and 13 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 9 of 15 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.

Topic position

Section 9 of 15

Practice

15 questions

Recall

13 flashcards

📖 Key Definitions

Specific heat capacity (c): The energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C. Units: J/kg°C.

Temperature change (Δθ): The difference between the final and initial temperatures. Δθ = θ_final − θ_initial. Units: °C (or K for identical numerical value).

Thermal capacity: The total energy needed to raise the temperature of an object by 1°C. Equals mass × SHC. Units: J/°C.

Thermal equilibrium: The state where two objects in contact have reached the same temperature and there is no net flow of heat between them.

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Specific Heat Capacity. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Specific Heat Capacity

What does the specific heat capacity of a substance measure?

  • A. The energy needed to change 1 kg of a substance from solid to liquid
  • B. The energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 °C
  • C. The maximum temperature a substance can reach before it boils
  • D. The rate at which a substance loses heat to its surroundings
1 markfoundation

Water has a specific heat capacity of 4200 J/kg°C, much higher than most other common substances. Explain why this makes water useful in central heating systems.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

Define:
The specific heat capacity (c) of a material is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of the substance by 1 degree Celsius.
Central heating
water carries lots of thermal energy around your house

Want to test your knowledge?

PrepWise has 15 exam-style questions and 13 flashcards for Specific Heat Capacity — with adaptive difficulty and instant feedback.

Join Alpha