Calculate molar heat capacity from total heat, temperature change and moles, or convert specific heat and molar mass into J/(°C·mol).

Assumes constant heat capacity with no phase change. Use signed heat and temperature change for cooling.

Final minus initial temperature; use an interval, not an absolute temperature.

Molar Heat Capacity Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the Molar Heat Capacity. 

MHC = Q / (dT × n)

Variables:

  • MHC is the molar heat capacity (J/(mol·K)); one kelvin interval equals one Celsius-degree interval
  • Q is the total heat (J) 
  • dT is the final minus initial temperature (K or °C interval) 
  • n is the number of moles 

To calculate the molar heat capacity, divide the total heat by the product of the change in temperature times the number of moles of substance.

How to Calculate Molar Heat Capacity?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Molar Heat Capacity.

  1. First, determine the total heat (J).
  2. Next, determine the change in temperature (°C). 
  3. Next, determine the number of moles. 
  4. Next, gather the formula from above = MHC = Q / (dT*n).
  5. Finally, calculate the Molar Heat Capacity.
  6. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above. 

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

total heat (J) = 12

change in temperature (°C) = 17

number of moles = 94; MHC = 12 / (17 × 94) ≈ 0.00750939 J/(mol·K).