Heat needed to change a body's temperature without a change of state.
Symbols
Q
heat
[J]
m
mass
[kg]
c
specific heat
[J/(kg·K)]
ΔT
temperature change
[K]
Where it comes from
The amount of heat depends on the mass, the type of substance (specific heat c) and the temperature change. Water has a high c — it is hard to heat up, but it retains heat for a long time.
When to use it
Heating and cooling without a change of state; heat balance.
Example
We heat 2 kg of water (c=4200 J/(kg·K)) by 10 K. Calculate the heat.