What unit is used to measure energy when calculating specific heat capacity? Give the abbreviation, not the full name.

The unit used to measure energy when calculating specific heat capacity is the Joule, abbreviated as J.

In the context of specific heat capacity, Joules quantify the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius (or one Kelvin). The specific heat capacity itself is defined by the formula:

$c = \frac{Q}{m \cdot \Delta T}$

where:

• $c$ is the specific heat capacity (in J/(kg·°C)),
• $Q$ is the amount of heat energy supplied (in Joules),
• $m$ is the mass of the substance (in kilograms),
• $\Delta T$ is the change in temperature (in °C or K).

This measurement is crucial in physics and chemistry, particularly in thermodynamics, allowing scientists to understand and calculate how substances absorb and transfer heat.