Final answer:
The specific heat capacity equation describes the relationship between heat energy transferred, mass, specific heat, and temperature change, where specific heat is the energy required to change the temperature of a substance by a degree per unit mass.
Step-by-step explanation:
The variables in the specific heat capacity equation, q = mc∆T, represent the heat energy (q) transferred to or from a substance, its mass (m), the specific heat capacity (c), and the change in temperature (∆T). The specific heat is a measure of how much energy is needed to change the temperature of a substance by a certain amount; the higher the specific heat, the more energy required.
It is denoted by the symbol c and expressed in the units J/(kg · K) or J/(kg · °C), indicating the energy needed to change the temperature of one kilogram of the substance by one degree Celsius or Kelvin. Specific heat is an intrinsic property of a substance, and it can vary when measured at constant volume or constant pressure for gases.
When performing specific heat calculations, one must consider the mass of the substance and the desired temperature change, as the energy needed for heating or cooling is directly proportional to these variables.
Application of the specific heat can be seen in practical setups like a coffee cup calorimeter, where heat exchange is measured to determine energy changes during chemical reactions or temperature changes of substances.