Chemistry
Heat energy from a temperature change
Mass in kilograms, specific heat in joules per kilogram per degree, and the temperature change in degrees.
The Formula
Q = m x c x dT
Mass in kilograms, specific heat in joules per kilogram per degree, and the temperature change in degrees.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q | Heat energy | J | Energy added to or removed from the substance. |
| m | Mass | kg | How much of the substance is being heated. |
| c | Specific heat | J/kg/degC | Energy per kilogram per degree for this material. |
| dT | Temperature change | degC | End temperature minus start temperature. |
What Each Symbol Means
QJ
Heat energy
Energy added to or removed from the substance.
mkg
Mass
How much of the substance is being heated.
cJ/kg/degC
Specific heat
Energy per kilogram per degree for this material.
dTdegC
Temperature change
End temperature minus start temperature.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate specific heat page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Specific Heat, filed under Science. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.