Article
Article
Specific heat of solids
Article By:
Pohl, Robert O. Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
Last reviewed:June 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.641900
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- Specific heat of solids, published January 2014:Download PDF
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The amount of heat required to increase the temperature of a unit mass of a solid by a unit amount. The term "specific heat" is short for "specific heat capacity" of a solid. It is determined by the vibrations of the solid's atoms or excitations of its electrons, and also by a variety of phase transitions. See also: Atom; Electron; Heat; Phase transition; Specific heat
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