definitions

specific heat

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noun Physics.

the number of calories required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance 1°C, or the number of BTU's per pound per degree F.
(originally) the ratio of the thermal capacity of a substance to that of standard material.

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Nearby words

specific charge, specific conductance, specific dynamic action, specific epithet, specific gravity, specific heat, specific heat capacity, specific humidity, specific immune globulin, specific immunity, specific impulse

Origin of specific heat

First recorded in 1825–35
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Science definitions for specific heat

specific heat

See under heat capacity.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Culture definitions for specific heat

specific heat

The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius, or to raise the temperature of one pound of a substance by one degree Fahrenheit (see also Fahrenheit).

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.