Specific heat

Specific heat(c) is the heat-energy required to change the temperature of a body of unit mass by 1 degree Celsius. The temperature change can be positive or negative. If the temperature is reduced then HT(heat) is released or lost by the body. Usually specifc ht is used for raise in temperature. Specifc ht is also known as specifc ht capacity. Both have same meanings only terms used are different. One term that is confused with specifc ht capacity or specifc ht is ht capacity. Ht capacity is different from the former two terms. Ht capacity (C) is that amount of ht that is needed to raise the temp of a body by a given amount. Note that here temperature is not raised by one degree Celsius. Also mass of the body is not unit mass.
Specific Heat Formula is given as:
Q= M c ∆T
Q here is ht required to change the temperature of a body of mass M by some temperature.
∆T is the change in temperature which is difference between final and initial temperatures.
SI Unit of Q is joule, of mass is gram and of temp is Celsius so SI unit of specifc ht or specifc ht capcity is J/ gm oC. other derived Units for Specific Heat are kJ/kg K, cal/g K, cal/g oC, kJ/kg oC and many more.
I like to share this 2nd Law of Thermodynamics Definition with you all through my article.
Ht capacity is given by C = Q/∆T
Unit of ht capacity is J per K or J/K.
Ht capacity per unit mass per degree Celsius is specifc ht capacity. Also ht capacity per unit mole per degree Celsius is known as molar ht capacity J/ moleoC, and per unit volume is volumetric ht capacity (J / m3 oC).
Different materials have different value of specifc ht. Metals have usually low specifc hts than liquids. Like Specific Heat of Tin is 0.21kJ/kg K. This means that 1 kg of tin if heated to change its temperature by 1 kelvin then it will need 0.21 kilo joules of heat-energy. Specific Heat Capacity of Copper is 0.385 J/g oC (1 gram of copper needs 0.385 joules of energy to raise its temp by 1 degree Celsius)
Specific Heat of Glass is 0.84 J per gram OCelsius.
While specifc heat capacity of H2O is 4.18 J/g oC. If we compare this value with metals’ specifc ht we will get to know that it is very high. So, water needs very high energy or enthalpy to change its temperature by one unit. This high enthalpy helps it in maintaining aquatic life.