To calculate the capacity of a substance, use the formula Q=mCΔTQ=mCΔT where Q is the quantity of heat (energy) needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C, measured in J; m is the mass of the substance, in kg; C is the specific heat capacity of the material, in Jkg⋅°CJkg⋅°C; and ΔTΔT is the temperature change, in °C

To calculate the capacity of a substance, use the formula Q=mCΔTQ=mCΔT

where Q is the quantity of heat (energy) needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C, measured in J; m is the mass of the substance, in kg; C is the specific heat capacity of the material, in Jkg⋅°CJkg⋅°C; and ΔTΔT is the temperature change, in °C.

If you are looking for the specific heat capacity (C), you will need to isolate it by dividing both sides by mΔTmΔT.

Example:

2.34×1042.34×104 J of heat are added to 2.0 kg of an unknown metal to cause a temperature change of 90.0°C90.0°C. What is the specific heat capacity of the unknown metal?

C=QmΔTC=QmΔT C=2.34×104J2.0kg×90.0°CC=2.34×104J2.0kg×90.0°C C=1.30×102Jkg⋅°CC=1.30×102Jkg⋅°C

You can easily look up on a chart of specific heat capacities this value, to find that this metal is (most likely) lead.