Q&A for How to Calculate Specific Heat

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How do I calculate specific heat when no temperature is given?

Community Answer

That's not possible. Q=mass × specific heat capacity x temperature is the formula, temperature cannot be removed from the equation.

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Question

How do I find the heat of a spice?

Community Answer

Look your spice up on the Scoville scale -- it measures the pungency of spicy foods. A bell pepper is 0 on the scale. A mild jalapeno is about 3000, and a hot one is ~10000. Tabasco is around 30000, and a habanero can reach 350000.

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Question

If 200 grams of water is to be heated from 24.0 degrees to 100.0 degrees to make a cup of tea, how much heat must be added?

Community Answer

Q = C x m x dT Q = 4.18 x 0.2 x (100 - 24) Q = 73.112 J/g.C

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Question

How do I calculate specific heat?

Community Answer

Q = m*s*dT, where Q = heat, m = mass, s = specific heat, and dT is the change in temperature (T2 - T1). You can use this formula to calculate the specific heat. In the case of gases, just replace the mass by moles of the gas.

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Question

How do I calculate specific heat when the heat is not given?

Community Answer

You will have to use clues to find out if the heat is given. If not, it cannot be solved.

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Question

How can I theoretically calculate a specific heat without knowing the final temperature?

Community Answer

The formula is: heat supplied= heat capacity/rise in temperature. Thus, heat capacity is = mass of the object or sample.

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How do I calculate specific heat if standard air is used and Q is given but there is no value for M?

Community Answer

If by standard air, you mean air at sea-level atmospheric pressure, 68ºF temperature, and roughly 68% relative humidity you have two options: If the volume is known, use the density to calculate the mass. If volume and mass are both unknown, double check if instead of Q the value was q which might be heat/lbm. Otherwise, you would need to consult a table for specific heat.

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