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Specific Heat Calculator

The amount of heat needed to change the temperature of a substance is given by the equation Q equals mass times specific heat times the change in temperature. This calculator solves that relationship for whichever value you leave blank, so you can find the heat energy, the mass, the specific heat capacity, or the temperature change from the other three. Use joules for heat, kilograms for mass, joules per kilogram per kelvin for specific heat, and kelvin or Celsius degrees for the temperature change, since a change of one is the same in both scales. Specific heat calculations are the heart of calorimetry and thermodynamics, explaining why water resists temperature change and how much energy heating or cooling something takes. Enter your three known values and the missing one appears instantly, computed privately in your browser.

How to use Specific Heat Calculator

  1. Enter any three of heat energy, mass, specific heat, and temperature change.
  2. Leave the unknown field blank.
  3. Read the calculated fourth value.

Frequently asked questions

What equation does this solve?

It solves the heat equation Q equals m c delta T, where Q is heat energy, m is mass, c is specific heat, and delta T is the temperature change.

What units should I use?

Use joules for heat, kilograms or grams for mass, and matching specific heat units, with temperature change in kelvin or degrees Celsius since the size is equal.

How many values do I enter?

Enter any three of heat, mass, specific heat, and temperature change to solve for the fourth.

What is Specific Heat Calculator?

The amount of heat needed to change the temperature of a substance is given by the equation Q equals mass times specific heat times the change in temperature. This calculator solves that relationship for whichever value you leave blank, so you can find the heat energy, the mass, the specific heat capacity, or the temperature change from the other three.

Is Specific Heat Calculator free to use?

Yes. Specific Heat Calculator is completely free, with no sign-up and no usage limits.

Does Specific Heat Calculator work in a web browser?

Yes. Specific Heat Calculator runs in any modern web browser. There is nothing to download or install.

Is my data private with Specific Heat Calculator?

Yes. Specific Heat Calculator runs entirely on your device in your browser, so nothing you enter is uploaded to a server.