Solids - Specific Heats

Calculate the energy required to heat solids using specific heat capacity. This tool provides specific heat values for commonly used solids and calculates heating energy using the formula q = cp × m × ΔT.

Product	Specific Heat (Btu/(lbm °F))	Specific Heat (kcal/(kg °C))	Specific Heat (kJ/kgK)
Agate	0.19	0.19	0.80
Aluminum bronze	0.10	0.10	0.44
Aluminum, 0 °C	0.21	0.21	0.87
Antimony	0.05	0.05	0.21
Copper	0.09	0.09	0.39
Glass	0.2	0.2	0.84
Gold	0.03	0.03	0.13
Ice 31 °F (0 °C)	0.49	0.49	2.09
Iron, 20 °C	0.11	0.11	0.46
Lead	0.03	0.03	0.13
Silver, 20 °C	0.056	0.056	0.23
Steel	0.12	0.12	0.49
Wood, oak	0.48	0.48	2
Zinc	0.09	0.09	0.38

Calculator

Inputs

Specific Heat (cp) (kJ/kgK)

Mass (m) (kg)

Temperature Difference (ΔT) (K or °C)

Heating Time (optional) (seconds)

Results

Heat Required (q)-- kJ

Power Required (P)-- kW

Formulas

Heating Energy

q = cp × m × ΔT

Where:

q = heat required (kJ)
cp = specific heat (kJ/kg K or kJ/kg °C)
m = mass (kg)
ΔT = temperature difference (K or °C)

Power Required

P = q / t

Where:

P = power (kW)
t = time (seconds)

Unit Conversion

1 Btu/lbm°F = 4.187 kJ/kg K = 1 kcal/kg°C
T (°C) = 5/9(T (°F) - 32)
T (°F) = (T (°C))(9/5) + 32