How is specific heat capacity defined?

Specific heat capacity is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius (or one Kelvin). This definition is crucial in understanding how substances absorb and transfer heat, which plays a significant role in various scientific and engineering applications.

When a substance absorbs heat, its temperature increases; the specific heat capacity reflects how much heat is needed for each unit of mass to achieve this temperature change. Different substances have unique specific heat capacities depending on their molecular structure and bonding, which influences their thermal properties.

The other definitions presented pertain to different thermal concepts. For instance, the process of vaporization describes a phase change and relates to enthalpy, not specific heat capacity. Total heat content encompasses a broader thermodynamic measure (enthalpy) rather than focusing on temperature change alone. Lastly, the heat change during a phase transition is indicative of latent heat, not specific heat capacity. Therefore, option B is the most accurate definition of specific heat capacity.