Specific Heat of Air at Constant Pressure (Cp)
Reference table, calculator, and chart for specific heat of dry air over a range of temperatures
Specific Heat of Air Calculator
Enter a temperature in Celsius or Kelvin to estimate specific heat of air:
Specific Heat of Air Table
| Temperature (°C) | Cp (J/kg·K) |
|---|---|
| -20 | 1003 |
| -10 | 1004 |
| 0 | 1004 |
| 10 | 1005 |
| 15 | 1005 |
| 20 | 1005 |
| 25 | 1005 |
| 30 | 1006 |
| 40 | 1007 |
| 50 | 1008 |
| 60 | 1009 |
| 70 | 1010 |
| 80 | 1011 |
| 90 | 1012 |
| 100 | 1013 |
Specific Heat of Air Graph
About Specific Heat of Air at Constant Pressure (Cp)
Specific heat at constant pressure (Cp) is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 K while maintaining constant pressure. For dry air, Cp is a fundamental thermodynamic property that is slightly temperature-dependent and is critical in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, HVAC system design, and energy calculations.
Standard Reference Value
At 15°C (288.15 K) and 1 atm pressure, the specific heat of dry air is approximately 1005 J/kg·K. This standard reference value is used in engineering calculations, heat transfer analysis, and CFD simulations.
Factors Affecting Specific Heat
The specific heat of air varies with temperature and can be influenced by humidity and pressure. Accurate Cp values are essential for:
- Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics: Calculating energy transfer, enthalpy changes, and airflow properties.
- HVAC Design: Sizing heating and cooling systems, predicting temperature changes, and ensuring efficient ventilation.
- Heat Transfer Engineering: Modeling convective and conductive heat flow in ducts, equipment, and environmental systems.
- Aerospace & Energy Systems: Determining energy requirements, turbine performance, and combustion efficiency.
- Environmental Engineering: Simulating air conditioning, thermal comfort, and energy consumption in buildings.
How Engineers Use Specific Heat
Engineers combine Cp with other air properties such as density, dynamic viscosity, kinematic viscosity, and thermal conductivity to accurately model airflow, heat transfer, and energy systems. Reliable Cp data enables precise calculations for energy efficiency, thermal management, HVAC optimization, and performance predictions in both industrial and environmental applications.
Understanding the specific heat of air is vital for thermodynamic modeling, computational simulations, ventilation design, and HVAC energy analysis, ensuring both efficiency and accuracy in engineering solutions.