What are the units for the specific heat capacity?

• A. joules per degree Celsius
• B. joules per gram
• C. joules per gram per degree Celsius
• D. calories per gram per degree Celsius

Answer: (C)

Specific heat capacity is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a given mass by a certain amount. To express that, the unit must include energy, mass, and temperature change. Using joules for energy, grams for mass, and degrees Celsius for the temperature change gives the unit joules per gram per degree Celsius (J/(g·°C)). This is the standard SI form, and since a degree Celsius and a kelvin have the same size, you can also write it as J/(g·K).

The other options miss one of those pieces or use a different energy unit. For example, a unit without mass or without a temperature change isn’t appropriate, and using calories changes the system unless you’re specifically working in non-SI units.