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New
Calculating specific heat capacity (∆E = m c ∆θ)
I can make calculations using the equation ΔE = m c Δθ.
Lesson 4 of 7
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Calculating specific heat capacity (∆E = m c ∆θ)
I can make calculations using the equation ΔE = m c Δθ.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Energy transferred to increase the temperature of a substance by heating by a fixed amount is proportional to mass.
- Energy transferred to a substance by heating a fixed amount is proportional to the increase in temperature.
- Energy transferred to increase the temperature of a substance by heating is proportional to its specific heat capacity.
- Specific heat capacity equals the energy transferred to/by 1 kg of a material when its temperature changes by 1ºC.
- Specific heat capacity, c, is measured in joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg ºC).
Keywords
Specific heat capacity - The change in internal energy when the temperature of 1 kg of the material changes by 1°C.
Joules / kilogram degrees C - The unit for the specific heat capacity of a material (J/kg ºC).
Common misconception
Often, after teaching, pupils often do not understand what specific heat capacity means.
Discuss the size of a substance’s specific heat capacity in terms of how hard it is to heat up a certain mass of the substance and of how much energy needs to be transferred to heat it up.
Provide pupils with examples of exam questions to practise so that they become familiar with thinking about specific heat capacity in a range of different contexts.
Teacher tip
Equipment
None required.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is the correct unit used for temperature change?
Which of the following is the correct unit used for temperature change?
Fahrenheit (F)
Celsius (C)
degrees (°)
joules (J)
Q2.Why does having thick carpets help people save money on heating bills?
Why does having thick carpets help people save money on heating bills?
Heat rises to the top of a house.
They are good thermal conductors.
They are much more comfortable than hard surfaces.
This is the only place energy can escape from a house.
Q3.Which of the following is the correct unit for specific heat capacity?
Which of the following is the correct unit for specific heat capacity?
J
J/°C
J/kg
°C/kg
Q4.Three identical kettles are used to heat water from the same starting temperature. Kettle A contains 0.5 kg, kettle B contains 1.0 kg and kettle C contains 1.5 kg. Which statements are correct?
Three identical kettles are used to heat water from the same starting temperature. Kettle A contains 0.5 kg, kettle B contains 1.0 kg and kettle C contains 1.5 kg. Which statements are correct?
All the kettles will boil at the same time.
Kettle C will boil first.
Kettle A will boil last.
Q5.Which of the following has the largest store of thermal energy?
Which of the following has the largest store of thermal energy?
A glass of fizzy pop at a temperature of 4°C.
A cup of tea at a temperature of 80°C.
A bath full of cold water at 5°C.
A bath full of warm water at 20°C.
Q6.A small piece of red-hot metal is dropped into a large bucket of water. Which of the following statements are correct?
A small piece of red-hot metal is dropped into a large bucket of water. Which of the following statements are correct?
The temperature of the metal changes less than the temperature of the water.
The temperature change of the metal and water are equal.
The water will all boil and evaporate.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following key words or phrases to their definition.
Match the following key words or phrases to their definition.
Q2.The energy required to heat an object and change its temperature is directly proportional to which of the following?
The energy required to heat an object and change its temperature is directly proportional to which of the following?
starting temperature
starting energy
Q3.Water has a specific heat capacity of 4200 J/kg °C, calculate the energy required to increase the temperature of 1.5 kg of water from 30°C to 80°C.
Water has a specific heat capacity of 4200 J/kg °C, calculate the energy required to increase the temperature of 1.5 kg of water from 30°C to 80°C.
140 kJ
189 kJ
210 kJ
504 kJ
Q4.A heater increases the temperature of samples of different materials by 10°C.
Starting with the greatest, sort the samples in order of specific heat capacity, based on the given masses and energy.
A heater increases the temperature of samples of different materials by 10°C.
Starting with the greatest, sort the samples in order of specific heat capacity, based on the given masses and energy.
Q5.A sample of a new plastic has a mass of 250 g. When provided with 6.0 kJ, its temperature increases from 20°C to 50°C. Calculate the specific heat capacity of the sample.
A sample of a new plastic has a mass of 250 g. When provided with 6.0 kJ, its temperature increases from 20°C to 50°C. Calculate the specific heat capacity of the sample.
0.8 J/kg °C
50 J/kg °C
500 J/kg °C
8000 J/kg °C
Q6.In a test, a 500 g sample of a liquid with specific heat capacity of 1500 J/kg °C is heated with 60.0 kJ of energy. The starting temperature of the sample was 5.5°C. Calculate the final temperature.
In a test, a 500 g sample of a liquid with specific heat capacity of 1500 J/kg °C is heated with 60.0 kJ of energy. The starting temperature of the sample was 5.5°C. Calculate the final temperature.
7.5°C
40.0°C
45.5°C
80.0°C
