Heat to warm 1.5 kg of water by 85 °C

Answer: heat energy = 533,715 J (heat energy 533.715 kJ, heat energy 148.254 Wh).

What we know

  • Mass: 1.5 kg
  • Specific heat capacity: 4186 J/(kg·K)
  • Temperature change: 85 K (or °C)

Step by step

Given
m = 1.5 kg, c = 4186 J/(kg·K), ΔT = 85 K (or °C)
Formula
Q = m × c × ΔT
Substitute
Q = 1.5 × 4186 × 85
Result
Q = 533,715 J

All results

Heat energy533,715 J
Heat energy533.715 kJ
Heat energy148.254 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.