Specific heat

The specific heat (or specific heat capacity) is the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a unit amount of a substance by 1 kelvin. For example, the heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 kelvin is 4.184 joules. The specific heat capacity is usually expressed as Jg-1K-1. It may also be expressed on a molar basis as Jmol-1K-1.

The heat capacity (as distinct from specific heat) is the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of any stated amount (rather than a unit amount) of substance by 1 kelvin. Heat capacity is an extensive property, i.e. its value is proportional to the amount of the substance. For example, a kilogram of water has a greater heat capacity than 100 grams of water. The heat capacity is usually expressed as JK-1.

Specific heat capacities and heat capacities have the same symbols of $$C_p$$ and $$C_v$$. The specific heat ratio, $$k$$, has the same numeric value whether based on specific heats or heat capacities, since the respective amounts of substance cancel out.