Popular conversions
1 pairsJoule per Kilogram-Kelvin ↔ Calorie per Gram-Kelvin
J/kg·K ↔ cal/g·K
Unit guides
2 unitsDetailed guide to this category
Specific heat measures the energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree.
Joule per kilogram-Kelvin is the SI derived unit, while calorie per gram-Kelvin remains common in chemistry.
- Physical quantity
- Specific heat
- SI unit
- Joule per kilogram-Kelvin
- Typical use
- Material science and thermodynamics
What is specific heat?
Specific heat is the amount of energy needed to raise one unit of mass by one degree of temperature.
It is used in material science, thermodynamics and heating/cooling system design.
Why specific heat matters
Materials with a higher specific heat require more energy for the same mass and temperature change. This property is important when estimating thermal storage, heating time and cooling behavior.
Specific heat is different from total heat capacity. Heat capacity applies to an entire object, while specific heat is normalized by mass.
Specific-heat units
Joules per kilogram-Kelvin is the SI-form unit. Calories per gram-Kelvin is also found in chemistry and educational material.
The temperature interval is part of the unit. For a temperature difference, one Kelvin and one degree Celsius have the same size, but the mass basis must also be converted correctly.
Unit comparison table
| Unit | Symbol | SI equivalent | System | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin | J/(kg·K) | SI reference unit | SI | Thermodynamics and material data |
| Calorie per Gram-Kelvin | cal/(g·K) | 1 cal/(g·K) = 4,184 J/(kg·K) | Calorie-based unit | Chemistry and educational references |
Units
| Unit | Symbol | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Joule per Kilogram-Kelvin | J/kg·K | View unit guide |
| Calorie per Gram-Kelvin | cal/g·K | View unit guide |