In the context of aircraft design and thermodynamics, Cp (pronounced “C sub p”) represents the specific heat capacity of a substance at constant pressure. It is defined as the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one unit mass of the substance by one degree Celsius (or one kelvin) while keeping the pressure constant.
The formula for specific heat capacity at constant pressure (Cp) is as follows:
- Cp is the specific heat capacity at constant pressure, typically measured in joules per kilogram per kelvin (J/(kg·K)) or in specific units such as BTU/(lb·°F) for certain regions.
- ΔQ represents the amount of heat energy added or removed from the substance, typically measured in joules (J) or British thermal units (BTUs).
- m is the mass of the substance, typically measured in kilograms (kg) or pounds (lb).
- ΔT is the change in temperature, typically measured in kelvin (K) or degrees Celsius (°C).