Final answer:
The term 'c' in the specific heat equation Q = mcΔT represents the specific heat of the material, which is the amount of heat required to change the temperature of a mass by 1.00 °C.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the specific heat equation Q = mcΔT, the term c represents the specific heat (also known as specific heat capacity) of the material. The specific heat is defined as the amount of heat required to change the temperature of 1.00 kg of mass by 1.00 °C. It's an intrinsic property of the material, reflecting how much energy is needed to raise its temperature, and it varies depending on the material and its phase. The SI unit for specific heat is joules per kilogram Kelvin (J/(kg · K)) or joules per kilogram degree Celsius (J/(kg · °C)). Understanding specific heat is essential for calculating the energy transfer involved in heating or cooling a substance.