How does heat capacity differ from specific heat capacity?

Heat capacity is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a substance.

Specific heat capacity is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one unit of mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. Heat capacity, on the other hand, is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of an entire object by one degree Celsius.

The specific heat capacity of a substance is an intrinsic property, meaning it is unique to that substance and does not depend on the amount of the substance present. It is often used to compare the thermal properties of different materials.

Heat capacity, on the other hand, depends on both the amount and type of material present. For example, a large metal pot will have a higher heat capacity than a small plastic cup, even if they both contain the same amount of water.

In thermodynamics, heat capacity is often used in calculations involving the transfer of heat between objects. It is important to note that heat capacity can vary with temperature, pressure, and other factors.

Overall, while both heat capacity and specific heat capacity relate to the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a substance, they differ in terms of the amount of material being considered and the intrinsic properties of the substance.