Heat Capacity

The specific heat capacity is a measure of the energy needed to heat up 1 kilogram of a material to 1°C (or 1K). This has to happen in a temperature range, where the material doesn't change its state of matter, e.g. where water doesn't boil.

Insert three values at c, Q, m and ΔT, the fourth will be calculated. For c you can choose a certain material (the values are approximate). Instead of ΔT, you can enter start and end temperature and transfer it to ΔT by pressing OK. Enter time or power to find out how long you will need for heating up with a certain number of watts.
An example: to heat up a cup of tea (heat capacity virtually that of water, m = 0.2 kg) from room temperature (20°C) to 95°C (ΔT = 75), with a 500 watts microwave oven you will need 125.4 seconds in theory. Practically it will take a bit longer, because the energy conversion efficiency is never 100%.