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Specific Heat Capacity Converter

Specific Heat Capacity is a fundamental property of materials that measures the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree. It is expressed in various units depending on the system of measurement.

Let's explore the common units and their conversion factors:

  • Joule / kilogram / K (J/kg/K): The amount of heat energy in Joules required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of a substance by 1 Kelvin.
    Conversion Factor: 1 J/kg/K = 1 J/kg/K (Base Unit)

  • Joule / kilogram / °C (J/kg/°C): Similar to J/kg/K, but for a temperature difference of one degree Celsius. Because a temperature difference of one Kelvin is equal to a temperature difference of one Celsius, both units are equal.
    Conversion Factor: 1 J/kg/°C = 1 J/kg/K

  • Joule / gram / °C (J/g/°C): Represents the heat energy in Joules required to increase the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius.
    Conversion Factor: 1 J/g/°C = 1,000 J/kg/K

  • Kilojoule / kilogram / °C (kJ/kg/°C): This unit is a larger scale, where 1 kilojoule is equivalent to 1000 joules.
    Conversion Factor: 1 kJ/kg/°C = 1000 J/kg/K

  • Calorie / gram / °C (cal/g/°C): Represents the amount of heat energy in Calories needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of substance by 1 degree Celsius.
    Conversion Factor: 1 cal(IT)/g/°C ≈ 4,186.8 J/g/K; 1 cal(th)/g/°C ≈ 4,184 J/g/K

  • Kilogram-force meter / kilogram / K (kgf•m/kg/K): The energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of a substance by 1 Kelvin using a force of 1 kilogram-force under Earth's gravity.
    Conversion Factor: 1 kgf•m/kg/K = 9.80665 J/kg/K

  • Pound-force foot / pound / °R (lbf•ft/lb/°R): Similar to the kilogram-force meter, but using the Imperial system of units Pound, Foot and Rankine.
    *Conversion Factor: 1 lbf•ft/lb/°R = 5.38032 J/kg/K**

  • Btu / pound / °F (Btu/lb/°F): The amount of heat energy in British Thermal Units needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of substance by 1 degree Fahrenheit.
    Conversion Factor: 1 Btu(IT)/lb/°F ≈ 4,186.8 J/kg/K; 1 Btu(th)/lb/°F ≈ 4,184 J/kg/K

  • Btu (IT) / pound / °C (Btu/lb/°C): Measures the heat energy in British Thermal Units required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of substance by 1 degree Celsius.
    Conversion Factor: 1 Btu(IT)/lb/°C ≈ 2,326 J/kg/K

  • CHU / pound / °C (CHU/lb/°C): The amount of energy in Centigrade Heat Units needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of substance by 1 degree Celsius.
    Conversion Factor: 1 CHU/lb/°C ≈ 4,186.8 J/kg/°C

Understanding these units and their conversion factors is crucial for accurate and efficient calculations in the realm of thermodynamics and heat transfer. The Specific Heat Capacity Converter tool simplifies these conversions, ensuring precision in scientific and engineering applications.