specific heat

noun, Physics.
1.
the number of calories required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance 1°C, or the number of BTU's per pound per degree F.
2.
(originally) the ratio of the thermal capacity of a substance to that of standard material.
Origin
1825-35
Examples from the web for specific heat
  • Neodymium also possesses a high specific heat at extremely low temperatures.
  • The specific heat of air is low ie: little heat large temperature increase.
  • There is no relationship at all between thermal conductivity and specific heat.
  • Water has a high specific heat index-it absorbs a lot of heat before it begins to get hot.
  • For a temperature sensitive rate, the specific heat of the reactants is critically important.
  • Thermal properties measured included specific heat, vapor pressure, and heat of formation.
specific heat in Science
specific heat  
See under heat capacity.
specific heat in Culture

specific heat definition


The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius, or to raise the temperature of one pound of a substance by one degree Fahrenheit.