What is the difference between heat capacity and specific heat?

Heat capacity and specific heat are both measures of how much heat a substance can absorb, but they are used in slightly different ways.

1. Heat Capacity: This is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of an entire object by one degree Celsius. It is an extensive property, meaning it depends on the amount of substance present. For example, it takes more heat to raise the temperature of a large bucket of water by one degree than it does a small cup of water.

2. Specific Heat: This is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius. It is an intensive property, meaning it does not depend on the amount of substance present. For example, the specific heat of water is the same whether you have a cup of water or a bucket of water.

In summary, heat capacity is about the total amount of heat a substance can absorb, while specific heat is about the amount of heat a specific amount (one gram) of a substance can absorb.