Question

What are the units of specific heat?

Answer 1

Usually `"J"/("kg" \ ^@"C")` or `"J"/("kg K")`.

Explanation:

Consider the specific heat equation,

`q=mcDeltaT`

• `q` is the energy transferred, usually in joules

• `m` is the mass of the object, usually in kilograms

• `DeltaT` is the temperature difference, usually in Kelvin or celsius.

Solving for `c`, we get,

`c=q/(mDeltaT)`

Now, we insert in units to figure out `c`.

`c=("J")/("kg K")`, if the temperature difference is in Kelvin

`c=("J")/("kg" \ ^@"C")`, if the temperature difference is in degrees celsius