Specific Heat Calculator: q = m c delta T

The heat needed to change the temperature of a substance.

Calculated from standard textbook formulas, with every step shown. The formulas are fixed, so the working does not need checking: what matters is the numbers you type in. Use these calculators only if you are competent to choose the inputs (loads, material strength, dimensions, supports) and check your units and assumptions. For learning and checking your own working: design and sign-off are for a qualified engineer. Drafting Central does not store the numbers you type.

How this calculator works

Choose which quantity you want to find.

Enter the other values in the units shown.

The calculator gives the answer with the formula, the substituted numbers, and the answer in other units.

Formulas used

  • q = m\,c\,\Delta T
  • \Delta T = \frac{q}{m\,c}

Worked example

With the default numbers in the calculator above:

  1. The formula, arranged to find the heat energy: heat energy = mass x specific heat capacity x temperature change
  2. Put the values in (every value in its SI unit): heat energy = 2 x 4186 x 30
  3. The answer: heat energy: 251160 J
  4. The same answer in other units: 251.16 kJ; 0.0697667 kWh; 60028.7 calories; 238.054 BTU

Change the numbers in the calculator to see the full working, every step, for your own case.

A second worked example

A different case, with these numbers: What do you want to find? Temperature change; Heat energy (leave it as it is if this is what you are finding) 251160 J; Mass (leave it as it is if this is what you are finding) 2 kg; Specific heat capacity (leave it as it is if this is what you are finding) 4186 J/kg/K.

  1. The formula, arranged to find the temperature change: temperature change = (heat energy) / (mass x specific heat capacity)
  2. Put the values in (every value in its SI unit): temperature change = (251160) / (2 x 4186)
  3. The answer: temperature change: 30 K

Common questions

What is the formula for specific heat?

Heat energy equals mass times specific heat capacity times the temperature change. Warming 2 kg of water by 30 K takes 251 160 J.

What is the specific heat of water?

About 4186 J per kilogram per kelvin, or 4.186 J per gram per kelvin.

Why is the temperature change in kelvin the same as in degrees C?

The two scales have the same size of degree, so a change is the same on both.

Related calculators

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Further reading: Any school physics or chemistry text (specific heat capacity).

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