Specific heat capacity: Energy: Physics: GCSE (9:1) Study Guide

Specific heat capacity: Energy: Physics: GCSE (9:1) Study Guide

1. Temperature A measure of the average kinetic energy of
the particles in a substance

2. Specific heat capacity (SHC) The energy required to raise the tempera-
ture of one kilogram (1 kg) of a substance
by one degree Celsius (1 ºC)

3. ΔE = mcΔθ The equation linking the change in ther-
mal energy, mass, specific heat capacity
and temperature change

4. ΔE The symbol for the change in thermal en-
ergy

5. m The symbol for mass

6. c The symbol for specific heat capacity

7. Δθ The symbol for change in temperature

8. Joules ( J) The SI unit for energy and work

9. Joules per kilogram-degrees Celsius ( J/kgºC) The SI unit for specific heat capacity

10. Kilograms (kg) The SI unit for mass

11. Degrees Celsius (ºC) The SI unit for temperature

12. 4200 J/kgºC The specific heat capacity of water

13. Thermal conductors Materials with a low specific heat capacity
so heat up and cool down quickly

14. Thermal insulators Materials with a high specific heat capacity
so heat up and cool down slowly
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