Specific Heat Capacity Converter
Convert specific heat capacity between J/(kg·K), cal/(g·°C), and BTU/(lb·°F). Specific heat defines how much energy is needed to raise 1 kg of a material by 1°C.
Common Specific Heat Capacity Conversions
| From | To |
|---|---|
| 1 J/(kg·K) | 0.000239 cal/(g·°C) |
| 1 cal/(g·°C) | 4,186 J/(kg·K) |
| Water | 4,186 J/(kg·K) = 1 cal/(g·°C) |
| Iron | 449 J/(kg·K) |
| Aluminum | 900 J/(kg·K) |
Specific Heat Capacity Unit Definitions
- J/(kg·K)
- SI unit of specific heat.
- cal/(g·°C)
- 1 cal = 4.184 J. Water = 1 cal/(g·°C).
- BTU/(lb·°F)
- Imperial unit. 1 BTU/(lb·°F) = 4,186 J/(kg·K).
- kJ/(kg·K)
- 1,000 J/(kg·K). Common in thermodynamics textbooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does water have such high specific heat?
Water's specific heat (4,186 J/(kg·K)) is unusually high due to hydrogen bonding, which is why oceans moderate climate and why water is used as coolant.
What material has the highest specific heat?
Hydrogen gas has the highest specific heat (~14,300 J/(kg·K)). Among common liquids, water is the highest at 4,186 J/(kg·K).
How is specific heat used in engineering?
Q = m × c × ΔT where Q is heat energy, m is mass, c is specific heat, and ΔT is temperature change. Used to size heaters, heat exchangers, and thermal storage systems.