This key facts covers What IS Specific Heat Capacity? 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 2 of 15 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
📚 What IS Specific Heat Capacity?
Definition: 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.
What it tells you:
- High SHC (like water: 4200 J/kg°C) → needs lots of energy to heat up, releases lots when cooling
- Low SHC (like copper: 385 J/kg°C) → heats up quickly, cools down quickly
Units: J/kg°C (Joules per kilogram per degree Celsius)
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.