Heat to warm 0.5 kg of olive oil (c = 1,970) by 150 °C

Answer: heat energy = 147,750 J (heat energy 147.75 kJ, heat energy 41.042 Wh).

What we know

  • Mass: 0.5 kg
  • Specific heat capacity: 1970 J/(kg·K)
  • Temperature change: 150 K (or °C)

Olive oil's specific heat is an assumed typical value.

Step by step

Given
m = 0.5 kg, c = 1970 J/(kg·K), ΔT = 150 K (or °C)
Formula
Q = m × c × ΔT
Substitute
Q = 0.5 × 1970 × 150
Result
Q = 147,750 J

All results

Heat energy147,750 J
Heat energy147.75 kJ
Heat energy41.042 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.