Heat Capacity Calculator

Heat Capacity Calculator: Calculate Specific Heat & Thermal Properties

  • Adam
  • November 26, 2025

Calculate heat capacity, specific heat capacity, and thermal properties of materials. Use our free calculator with reference tables for water, metals, oils, and gases.

Heat Capacity Calculator

Calculate specific heat capacity, heat transfer, and thermal properties of materials

Specific Heat Calculator

Calculate the specific heat capacity using the fundamental thermodynamic equation.

Q = m × c × ΔT
Where: Q = Heat Energy | m = Mass | c = Specific Heat | ΔT = Temperature Change

Specific Heat Capacity Result

Specific Heat Capacity: 0 J/g°C

Heat Transfer Calculator

Determine heat energy transfer between materials using specific heat capacity.

Q = m × c × ΔT
Calculate total heat transferred

Heat Transfer Result

Heat Energy: 0 Joules (J)
Heat Energy: 0 Kilojoules (kJ)

Material Heat Capacity Reference Table

Specific heat capacity values for common materials and substances used in thermal calculations:

MaterialSpecific Heat (J/g°C)Alternative Unit (cal/g°C)State
Water (Liquid)4.181.00Liquid
Water (Ice)2.050.49Solid
Ethylene Glycol2.400.57Liquid
Propylene Glycol2.500.60Liquid
Ethanol2.440.58Liquid
Acetone2.150.51Liquid
Acetic Acid2.050.49Liquid
Acetaldehyde2.230.53Liquid
Benzene1.740.42Liquid
Mineral Oil1.67-2.010.40-0.48Liquid
Copper0.3850.092Solid
Aluminum0.8970.214Solid
Iron / Steel0.4490.107Solid
Brass0.3800.091Solid
Aluminum Oxide (Al₂O₃)0.770.18Solid
Magnesium Oxide (MgO)0.840.20Solid
Glass (Pyrex)0.8400.201Solid
Ceramics0.84-1.050.20-0.25Solid
Air (Gas)1.0120.242Gas
Nitrogen (Gas)1.040.249Gas
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)0.8390.201Gas
Ammonia (NH₃)2.060.49Gas
Hydrogen Gas (H₂)14.303.42Gas
Helium (Gas)5.191.24Gas
Sand / Silica0.830.20Solid
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃)0.800.19Solid
Activated Carbon0.700.17Solid
Carbon Nanotubes0.50-1.200.12-0.29Solid
Graphene0.71-0.880.17-0.21Solid
Polystyrene1.300.31Solid
Epoxy Resin1.470.35Solid
Carbon Fiber Composite0.710.17Solid
Seawater3.930.94Liquid
Sucrose Solution3.510.84Liquid
Liquid Nitrogen2.040.49Liquid

Frequently Asked Questions About Heat Capacity

What is heat capacity? ▼

Heat capacity is the amount of thermal energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree. It's an extensive property that depends on the amount and type of material.

What is the difference between heat capacity and specific heat capacity? ▼

Heat capacity (C) is the total energy needed to raise an object's temperature, while specific heat capacity (c) is the energy per unit mass per degree. Specific heat capacity is an intensive property, while heat capacity is extensive.

Why does water have a high specific heat capacity? ▼

Water has a high specific heat capacity (4.18 J/g°C) because hydrogen bonding between water molecules requires significant energy to break, allowing it to absorb large amounts of thermal energy without dramatic temperature changes.

What units are used for heat capacity? ▼

Common units include J/g°C (Joules per gram per degree Celsius), cal/g°C (calories per gram per degree Celsius), J/kg·K (Joules per kilogram per Kelvin), and BTU/lb°F (British Thermal Units per pound per degree Fahrenheit).

How is heat capacity used in calorimetry? ▼

In calorimetry, heat capacity calculations determine the heat of reactions or physical changes. The calorimeter's heat capacity must be known to calculate the actual heat transferred to or from the system being studied.

What is molar heat capacity? ▼

Molar heat capacity is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one mole of a substance by one degree. It's expressed as J/mol·K or cal/mol·K and is useful for comparing substances on an atomic basis.

How does temperature affect specific heat capacity? ▼

For most substances, specific heat capacity varies slightly with temperature. This variation is usually small for solids and liquids but can be significant for gases. Most calculations assume constant specific heat unless specified otherwise.

What is the heat of vaporization and how does it differ from heat capacity? ▼

Heat of vaporization is the energy required to convert a liquid to a gas without temperature change, while heat capacity describes energy needed to change temperature. They're different types of thermal energy transfer.

Why do metals have lower heat capacities than water? ▼

Metals have lower specific heat capacities because their atoms are more loosely bound. Water's hydrogen bonding network requires more energy to disrupt, so it can absorb more thermal energy per degree Celsius.

What is the method of mixtures and how does it use heat capacity? ▼

The method of mixtures is an experimental technique to determine specific heat capacity. A hot object at known temperature and specific heat is mixed with a cooler object until thermal equilibrium is reached, then calculations determine unknown values.

How to Calculate Heat Capacity: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Identify the Formula

The fundamental equation for heat capacity is: Q = m × c × ΔT

Where:
• Q = Heat energy (Joules)
• m = Mass (grams)
• c = Specific heat capacity (J/g°C)
• ΔT = Change in temperature (°C)

Step 2: Gather Your Variables

Determine the mass of your substance, the specific heat capacity from reference tables, and measure the initial and final temperatures. Calculate ΔT by subtracting initial temperature from final temperature.

Step 3: Insert Values into Formula

Substitute your measured or known values into the heat capacity equation. Ensure all units are consistent (mass in grams, temperature in degrees Celsius, heat in Joules).

Step 4: Calculate the Result

Multiply the mass, specific heat capacity, and temperature change together. The product gives you the heat energy in Joules. For larger values, convert to kilojoules by dividing by 1000.

Step 5: Check Your Answer

Verify that your result makes physical sense. Water should require more energy than metals to heat, and larger temperature changes should require more energy. Use our calculator above to verify your manual calculations.

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