Heat Energy / Specific Heat Calculator (Q = mcΔT)
Heat Energy / Specific Heat Calculator (Q = mcΔT)
Heat energy required to change a substance's temperature depends on its mass, its specific heat capacity (how much energy it takes to heat 1 kg by 1°C), and how much the temperature changes. Choose which quantity you want to solve for, enter the other three known values, and this calculator computes the missing one, shown alongside a heat-vs-temperature-change graph.
- The core formula is Q = mcΔT, so heating 1 kg of water (specific heat 4186 J/(kg·°C)) by 10°C takes 1 × 4186 × 10 = 41,860 J.
- Specific heat varies enormously by material - water's high specific heat (4186 J/(kg·°C)) is why it takes so long to boil compared to metals, which typically have specific heats 10x lower or more.
- See the Latent Heat Calculator for the energy needed during a phase change (melting or boiling), where temperature stays constant even as heat is added.
How do I calculate heat energy?
Multiply the mass by the specific heat and by the temperature change: Q = mcΔT.
How much energy does it take to heat 1 kg of water by 10°C?
Q = 1 × 4186 × 10 = 41,860 J (about 41.86 kJ).
Heat Energy / Specific Heat Calculator (Q = mcΔT)
Heat energy required to change a substance's temperature depends on its mass, its specific heat capacity (how much energy it takes to heat 1 kg by 1°C), and how much the temperature changes. Choose which quantity you want to solve for, enter the other three known values, and this calculator computes the missing one, shown alongside a heat-vs-temperature-change graph.
- The core formula is Q = mcΔT, so heating 1 kg of water (specific heat 4186 J/(kg·°C)) by 10°C takes 1 × 4186 × 10 = 41,860 J.
- Specific heat varies enormously by material - water's high specific heat (4186 J/(kg·°C)) is why it takes so long to boil compared to metals, which typically have specific heats 10x lower or more.
- See the Latent Heat Calculator for the energy needed during a phase change (melting or boiling), where temperature stays constant even as heat is added.
How do I calculate heat energy?
Multiply the mass by the specific heat and by the temperature change: Q = mcΔT.
How much energy does it take to heat 1 kg of water by 10°C?
Q = 1 × 4186 × 10 = 41,860 J (about 41.86 kJ).