This key facts covers Key SHC Values — LEARN THESE! 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 topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 3 of 15 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
📊 Key SHC Values — LEARN THESE!
| Material | SHC (J/kg°C) | Heating behaviour |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 4,200 | Very slow to heat/cool — ideal for heating systems |
| Oil | 2,000 | Slower than metals, faster than water |
| Aluminium | 900 | Heats fairly quickly — used in cookware |
| Copper | 385 | Heats very quickly — excellent heat conductor |
| Lead | 130 | Heats extremely fast |
Why water's high SHC (4200) matters:
- Central heating — water carries lots of thermal energy around your house
- Car cooling systems — absorbs heat from engine without temperature rising too much
- Hot water bottles — stores lots of energy, releases slowly overnight
- Coastal climate — seas moderate temperature swings between seasons
Practice questions for Specific Heat Capacity
What does the specific heat capacity of a substance measure?
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.
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