Q is used to represent the total heat
q is used to represent heat per unit mass.
Sometimes the q will have a dot above it to represent rate of heat or a carat above it to indicate specific heat. The same is true for Q.
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Heat capacity is the total amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by a given amount, while specific heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. Specific heat capacity is a property intrinsic to the substance, while heat capacity depends on the amount of the substance present. The heat capacity of a substance is the product of its specific heat capacity and its mass.
A calorimeter is commonly used to calculate specific heat capacity. This device measures the heat transfer in a system when a material undergoes a temperature change, allowing for the determination of specific heat capacity.
The symbol that is used to represent a joule is the letter "J". This is a derived unit of energy. It can also be used to represent work, and an amount of heat.
To determine specific heat capacity in physics, you can use the formula Q = mcΔT, where Q represents heat transferred, m is the mass of the substance, c is the specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature. By rearranging the formula to solve for c, you can find the specific heat capacity of the substance.
The dimensional formula for heat capacity is [M L^2 T^-2 K^-1] and for specific heat capacity is [M L^2 T^-2 Θ^-1].