Explain the heat capacity of a substance and write its equation and unit.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(A) The quantity of heat required to warm a given substance depends on its mass $(m)$,the change in temperature $(\Delta T)$,and the nature of the substance.
The change in temperature of a substance,when a given quantity of heat is absorbed or rejected by it,is characterized by a quantity called the heat capacity of that substance.
Heat capacity $(S)$: Heat capacity is defined as the ratio of the heat supplied to a substance $(\Delta Q)$ to the corresponding change in its temperature $(\Delta T)$.
Mathematically,it is expressed as:
$S = \frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta T}$
Where $\Delta Q$ is the amount of heat supplied to the substance to change its temperature from $T$ to $T + \Delta T$.
The value of heat capacity depends on the type of material and its mass. Heat capacity of substances of the same material but different mass can be different.
The $SI$ unit of heat capacity is $J K^{-1}$ or $J/K$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

The specific heat of a substance at temperature $T^{\circ}C$ is given by $C = \alpha T^2 + \beta T + \gamma$. The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a mass $m \, g$ of the substance from $0^{\circ}C$ to $T_o^{\circ}C$ is .......

Why is water used as a coolant?

Difficult
View Solution

Water is used to cool radiators of engines,because

How much energy in $kJ$ is required to heat $5 \, kg$ of water from $20^oC$ to its boiling point? (Specific heat of water = $4.2 \, kJ \, kg^{-1} \, ^oC^{-1}$)

Two different metal bodies $A$ and $B$ of equal mass are heated at a uniform rate under similar conditions. The variation of temperature of the bodies is graphically represented as shown in the figure. The ratio of specific heat capacities is :

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo