Specific Heat Capacity v Specific Latent Heat (AQA GCSE Physics)

Specific Heat Capacity v Specific Latent Heat

• The specific heat capacity and specific latent heat are slightly different, and it is important not to confuse one for the other

• Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by a certain amount

  • The substance will still be in the same state, just raised to a different temperature

  • E.g. A liquid heated from 5 °C to 20 °C

• Specific latent heat is the amount of heat energy needed to cause a change of state, i.e. the boiling of water or the melting of ice

  • The substance will be changing states, but still at the same temperature

  • E.g. A liquid evaporating into a gas

Difference between specific latent heat and specific heat capacity

• The following table summaries the differences between specific heat capacity and specific latent heat:

Specific Heat Capacity vs. Specific Latent Heat Table