Heat to warm a 1 kg aluminium pan (c = 900) by 180 °C

Answer: heat energy = 162,000 J (heat energy 162 kJ, heat energy 45 Wh).

What we know

  • Mass: 1 kg
  • Specific heat capacity: 900 J/(kg·K)
  • Temperature change: 180 K (or °C)

900 J/(kg·K) is a typical textbook value for aluminium.

Step by step

Given
m = 1 kg, c = 900 J/(kg·K), ΔT = 180 K (or °C)
Formula
Q = m × c × ΔT
Substitute
Q = 1 × 900 × 180
Result
Q = 162,000 J

All results

Heat energy162,000 J
Heat energy162 kJ
Heat energy45 Wh

Open the specific heat calculator with these numbers → and change any of them.

The physics

Specific heat capacity is how stubborn a substance is about changing temperature: the energy needed to warm one kilogram by one degree. Multiply it by the mass and by the temperature change and you get the total heat energy, Q — the number that quietly governs your kettle, your radiator and your heating bill.