Identify the amount of heat added or removed, (Q)
Measure the change in temperature, (Delta T = T_f – T_i)
Use the formula (C = dfrac{Q}{Delta T})
For specific heat capacity, use (c = dfrac{Q}{mDelta T})
Rearrange if needed:
(Q = CDelta T)
(Q = mcDelta T)
(m = dfrac{Q}{cDelta T})
(Delta T = dfrac{Q}{mc})
Use consistent units:
Heat: joules, J
Mass: kilograms, kg or grams, g
Temperature change: kelvin, K or degrees Celsius, °C
Calculate the result and report the units:
Heat capacity: J/K
Specific heat capacity: J/(kg·K) or J/(g·°C)