Specific heat capacity is the energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 °C. Calculate thermal energy changes using ΔE = mcΔθ. For the same mass and energy input, a substance with a larger specific heat capacity has a smaller temperature rise. Example: Calculate the thermal energy needed to heat 2.5 kg of material through 20 °C. Its c = 400 J/(kg °C). ΔE = mcΔθ = 2.5 × 400 × 20 = 20000 J. This assumes the stated energy is gained by the material. Identify cause and effect.