Chemistry For Engineers Practice Test

Which of the following best describes the units of specific heat capacity?

J/(g·K) or J/(kg·K) J/(mol·K) J J/K

Correct Answer:

J/(g·K) or J/(kg·K)

Explanation:

Specific heat capacity tells you how much energy is needed to raise the temperature of a given amount of material by 1 kelvin. That means the units must express energy per mass per temperature. The correct units are joules per unit mass per kelvin, i.e., J/(g·K) or J/(kg·K). Those show energy needed per gram (or per kilogram) for each degree of temperature rise. Other options don’t describe energy per mass per temperature. J/(mol·K) is molar heat capacity—per mole, not per unit mass. J is just energy, not tied to a temperature change per mass. J/K is heat capacity for a whole object (energy per one kelvin change for the entire body), not specific to mass.

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