$$c = \dfrac{Q}{m \Delta T}$$
where $c$ is the specific heat capacity of the substance (in J kg-1 $\degree$C-1),
$Q$ is the heat transfer or energy absrobed (in J),
$m$ is the mass of the substance (in kg), and
$\Delta T$ is the change in temperature (in $\degree$C or K)
It is an intrinsic property of the material and is independent of the amount of substance. Different substances have different specific heat capacities, which reflect how much energy is required to change their temperatures. The following is a table of some of the commonly known specific heat capacities.
| Substance | Specific Heat Capacity (J kg-1°C-1) |
|---|---|
| Water | 4186 |
| Ice | 2100 |
| Aluminum | 897 |
| Iron | 450 |
| Copper | 385 |
| Lead | 128 |
| Air | 1005 |
| Ethanol | 2440 |
To calculate the amount of thermal transfer $Q$ needed to raise a substance of specific heat capacity $c$ and mass $m$ by a temperature change of $\Delta T$, we can use this formula: $$Q = mc\Delta T$$