Heat capacity

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The heat capacity (as distinct from specific heat) is the amount of heat required to increase the temperature of any stated amount of substance (rather than a unit amount) by 1 kelvin. Heat capacity is an extensive property, i.e. its value is proportional to the amount of the substance. For example, a kilogram of water has a greater heat capacity than 100 grams of water. The heat capacity is usually expressed as JK-1.

Specific heat capacities and heat capacities have the same symbols of Cp and Cv. The specific heat ratio, k, has the same numeric value whether based on specific heats or heat capacities, since the respective amounts of substance cancel out.

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