How do you calculate specific heat capacity?

1 Answer
Dr. Hayek
Oct 26, 2015

It is determined experimentally.

Explanation:

Specific Heat capacity by definition is the quantity of heat (or energy) needed to raise the temperature of #1 g# of a certain element or compound by #1^@C#.

Therefore, it is determined experimentally.

However, there is a relationship between the specific heat capacity #s# and enthalpy #DeltaH#, therefore, if we have all necessary information, we can calculate the specific heat capacity"

#DeltaH=mxxsxxDeltaT=>s=(DeltaH)/(mxxDeltaT)#

where, #m# is the mass of the solution, and #DeltaT# is the change on temperature during the pricess.

Here is a video that further explains the specific heat capacity and its use:

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