Specific Heat Calculator
Calculate heat energy, temperature change, or mass using Q = mcΔT. Includes material presets, phase change (latent heat), thermal equilibrium, BTU conversion, and calorimetry.
J/g°C
g
°C
Heat Energy Q
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Heat Energy —
Heat Energy —
Extended More scenarios, charts & detailed breakdown ▾
J/g°C
g
°C
Heat Q (J)
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Heat Q (kJ) —
Professional Full parameters & maximum detail ▾
g
J/g°C
°C
g
J/g°C
°C
Thermal Equilibrium
Thermal Equilibrium Temp —
Heat (Object 1 perspective) —
Phase Change
Phase Change Heat —
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter mass (g), specific heat (J/g°C), and temperature change.
- Use the material preset dropdown to auto-fill common specific heat values.
- Use Find ΔT tab to solve for temperature change, or Find Mass to solve for mass.
- The Professional tab adds phase change, thermal equilibrium, and BTU conversion.
Formula
Q = mcΔT | ΔT = Q/(mc) | m = Q/(cΔT)
Phase change: Q = mL
Equilibrium: T_eq = (m₁c₁T₁ + m₂c₂T₂)/(m₁c₁ + m₂c₂)
Example
Heat 500 g water by 20°C: Q = 500 × 4.184 × 20 = 41,840 J = 41.84 kJ.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Specific heat capacity (c) is the amount of heat needed to raise 1 gram of a substance by 1°C. Water has c = 4.184 J/g°C — one of the highest of any common substance. This is why water moderates climate.
- Q = m × c × ΔT, where Q is heat energy (J), m is mass (g), c is specific heat (J/g°C), and ΔT is temperature change (°C). A positive Q means heat is absorbed; negative means released.
- Latent heat is energy absorbed or released during a phase change (melting or boiling) at constant temperature. Q = mL, where L is the latent heat in J/g. For water: melting L = 334 J/g, boiling L = 2260 J/g.
- When two objects at different temperatures are in contact, heat flows from the hotter to the cooler until they reach the same temperature. If no heat is lost: m₁c₁(T_eq−T₁) = −m₂c₂(T_eq−T₂).
- Water: 4.184, Ice: 2.09, Aluminum: 0.897, Iron: 0.449, Copper: 0.385, Gold: 0.129, Steel: 0.502, Glass: 0.840, Wood: 1.76 (all in J/g°C).