Specific heat capacityHeat and temperature

When an object is heated, the change in temperature is related to energy, mass and the specific heat capacity of the material it is made of.

Part of PhysicsProperties of matter

Heat and temperature

Heat is a form of energy. It is measured in Joules.

It relates to kinetic energy which causes the particles in an object or substance to vibrate. When we talk about the heat we are referring to the total kinetic energy of the particles in an object or substance.

Temperature is related to heat but is not the same. It is measured in \(^{\circ} C\) and refers to how hot or cold a substance it.

The temperature of an object relates to both the kinetic energy of its particles and the number of particles. Temperature is the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

The difference between heat and temperature