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Heat, Mass and Temperature Change

Relate transferred heat, mass, temperature change and a custom or captured approximate heat-capacity preset.

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Calculator inputs

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How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the known values in the units shown. Results update as you type.
  2. Where results are editable, change one to solve backwards. Lock a value to hold it fixed.
  3. Use the worked example to check the method. Reset restores the starting fields.

Private by default

Inputs and results stay in this browser tab. Bookify does not upload or store the values you enter.

Formula and method

For 2 kilograms, a 10-degree Celsius temperature rise and a hypothetical heat capacity of 100 joules per kilogram-kelvin, the modeled heat transfer is 2,000 joules.

Q = mass×specific heat capacity×temperature change; temperature change = final−initial temperature.

Worked example

Enter these known values and leave the other values blank.

Mass (m)
2 kg
Change of temperature (ΔT)
10 °C
Specific heat capacity (c)
100 J/(kg·K)
Energy (Q)
2000 J

Assumptions and limitations

  • Use positive mass and positive specific heat capacity, with a nonzero temperature change and absolute temperatures no lower than zero kelvin. Cooling has negative temperature change and negative heat transfer.
  • The material menu contains 62 captured approximate example values plus Custom. Values depend on temperature, pressure, phase and composition; they are not certified measurements of a particular sample.
  • This sensible-heat model assumes approximately constant heat capacity and no phase transition. Heat losses, calorimeter heat capacity, reactions and latent heat are excluded.
  • Clear the unknown numeric field before solving a supported inverse.

Common questions

What does this scenario assume?

Use positive mass and positive specific heat capacity, with a nonzero temperature change and absolute temperatures no lower than zero kelvin. Cooling has negative temperature change and negative heat transfer.

What does the result leave out?

This sensible-heat model assumes approximately constant heat capacity and no phase transition. Heat losses, calorimeter heat capacity, reactions and latent heat are excluded.

References

Model input requirements: Custom specific heat capacity must be positive. Initial absolute temperature cannot be below zero kelvin. Final absolute temperature cannot be below zero kelvin.

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