THE NUMORIX GUIDE
How to use the Heat Calculator
Last reviewed September 14, 2026
What this calculator does
Sensible heat is calculated with Q = m c Delta T, where Delta T is final temperature minus initial temperature.
Formula and method
Sensible heat is calculated with Q = m c Delta T, where Delta T is final temperature minus initial temperature. The engine selects c from its material table and reports joules and kilojoules.
Variables and inputs
Mass m is in kg, specific heat c in J/(kg*K), and initial and final temperatures are entered in degrees C. The default is 1 kg of water, c = 4,186 J/(kg*K), heated from 20 C to 100 C; a custom option is listed in the selector.
Worked example
For 1 kg of water from 20 C to 100 C: Delta T = 80 K and Q = 1(4,186)(80) = 334,880 J = 334.88 kJ. A negative Delta T would produce a negative heat transfer, indicating energy leaves the material.
How to interpret the result
The result estimates energy transferred to or from a material when its temperature changes without a phase change. A positive Q means the material gains heat under the sign convention used here.
Common mistakes to avoid
Use the temperature difference, not the absolute Celsius readings, and keep mass in kilograms. Do not use this equation across melting or boiling without adding latent heat, and do not assume the listed c remains constant over a large temperature range.
Assumptions and limitations
The model assumes a uniform material with constant specific heat and no heat loss to the surroundings. Although the UI lists Custom, its current component never enables the custom-specific-heat field; selecting Custom therefore falls back to the water value 4,186 J/(kg*K).