Heat Capacity

[Linda Ye 2F]

Since heat capacity isn't as useful as specific heat capacity because it is an extensive property, is it only used for calorimeter calculations? In other words, are there any other scenarios where you would use heat capacity rather than specific heat capacity?

[Andre Tsivis 1K]

I find Heat Capacity as being still useful even though it is an extensive property because it can be used to derive other more specific heat capacities. By placing a mass measure to the extensive property of Heat Capacity, other specific heat capacities can be derived according to the mass measure that they are assigned to. So even though Heat Capacity isn't useful practically, I feel like it is still very useful if other forms of more specific heat capacities had to be derived (i.e) Molar Heat Capacity.

[chemgal4L]

How do you find the specific heat capacity if only the heat capacity is provided?

[Chem_Mod]

To convert from heat capacity to specific heat capacity you just divide by the mass of substance.