Specific Heat Calculator
Calculate the heat energy needed to change a substance’s temperature from its mass, specific heat and temperature change.
How it works
q = m × c × ΔT
Specific heat is the energy needed to raise one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius. Water’s value of 4.18 J/g·°C is high, which is why it heats and cools slowly. Multiplying the mass, the specific heat and the temperature change gives the total heat energy absorbed (positive) or released (negative).
Worked example
Heating 100 g of water by 10 °C requires q = 100 × 4.18 × 10 = 4180 J, or about 4.18 kJ.
Frequently asked questions
What does a negative result mean?
A negative temperature change means the substance is cooling, so q comes out negative — that heat is released to the surroundings rather than absorbed.
Why is water’s specific heat so important?
Its high specific heat lets water store large amounts of energy with only small temperature changes, which stabilises climates and makes it an excellent coolant.
What units should I use?
This calculator uses grams, J/g·°C and °C to give joules. Keep the mass unit consistent with the specific heat unit so they cancel correctly.
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