What is measured by the specific heat capacity of a substance?

The specific heat capacity of a substance is defined as the amount of heat required to change the temperature of a unit mass of that substance by one degree Celsius (or one Kelvin). This measurement indicates how much heat energy needs to be absorbed or released for a specific temperature change, which is crucial in various scientific and practical applications like climate science, cooking, and engineering.

By understanding specific heat capacity, one can predict how substances will respond to heat changes, helping to explain phenomena such as why water takes longer to heat up compared to metals or how different materials react to temperature changes in diverse environments. This concept forms a fundamental aspect of thermodynamics and energy transfer processes.