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.

specific heat

1. See under heat capacity

specific heat

1. 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 (see also Fahrenheit ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of specific heat¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

It does not rust, has a low specific heat, and is therefore raised to a higher temperature with less heat imparted.

From Project Gutenberg

Steam, on the contrary, from its great specific heat, remains in a heated state for a much longer time than air.

From Project Gutenberg

Although styled volatile oils, the tension of their vapour, as well as its specific heat, is much less than that of water.

From Project Gutenberg

Flatirons are made of iron because of the relatively high specific heat of iron.

From Project Gutenberg

We now proceed to discuss molecular heats of compounds, that is, the product of the molecular weight into the specific heat.

From Project Gutenberg