What is specific heat and what is its SI unit?
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Specific heat capacity is a fundamental thermodynamic property. Option A is CORRECT — Specific heat (c) is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 Kelvin (or 1°C). Its SI unit is J/kg/K (Joule per kilogram per Kelvin) also written as J·kg⁻¹·K⁻¹. This is derived from formula c = Q/(mΔT) where Q=heat in joules m=mass in kg ΔT=temperature change in K. The image states: विशिष्ट ऊष्मा का S.I. मात्रक — जूल × किलोग्राम⁻¹ × केल्विन⁻¹. Water has highest specific heat: 4186 J/kg/K = 1 cal/g/°C. Option B is wrong — raising 1g by 1°C describes calorie definition (CGS system) not SI. The SI definition uses 1kg and 1K and the unit is J/kg/K not Joule alone. Option C is wrong — rate of heat flow per unit area is heat flux with unit W/m² not specific heat. This is related to thermal radiation and conduction studies. Option D is wrong — total heat content (enthalpy) is different from specific heat. Calorie is a CGS unit not SI unit of specific heat.
FAQ
Common questions and clear answers for this topic.
Heat is a form of energy that transfers between objects or systems due to a temperature difference, moving from a hotter body to a cooler one until thermal equilibrium is reached.
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