Heat capacity

Competency Group: Material Science

Type: Measure Hardware

Description: The specific heat capacity is the amount of heat per kilogram to raise a materials temperature by 1 degree c = amount of heat/mass X change in temperature. The term "heat capacity" is used for the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of an object by 1k.

Citation for Description: Description by authors

Units: J/Kg/K

Advantages: Important when trying to find out hoe "hot" an item is going to be after it is heated up by a particular temperature.

Regulations: ASTM International. (n.d). ASTM E1269 — 11 Standard Test Method for Determining Specific Heat Capacity by Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Retrieved from http://www.astm.org/Standards/E1269.htm

Target Audience: Engineering, R&D

Relevant to Universal Design: No

Stages and Steps: 2.2, 4.2, 4.3, 4.12, 7.1, 7.2

Free Resource: LiCata, V. (2011). Heat Capacity 101: Detecting and Measuring Heat Capacity Changes in Biological Reactions. Retrieved from http://scienceblogs.com/worldsfair/2011/01/10/heat-capacity-101-detecting-an/

Free Resource: Engineers Edge. (2012). Heat — Thermodynamic Properties. Retrieved from http://www.engineersedge.com/thermodynamics/heat.htm