What is the term used to describe the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by 1 degree Celsius without changing its state?

The term that describes the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by 1 degree Celsius without changing its state is known as specific heat. This concept is fundamental in thermal physics and materials science, as it helps to quantify how different substances respond to heat energy input.

Specific heat is unique for each material, indicating that some substances require more energy to achieve the same temperature change compared to others. For example, water has a high specific heat, which is why it takes longer to heat up or cool down compared to metals. Understanding specific heat is also crucial in various practical applications, such as cooking, climate science, and engineering, where managing temperature changes is essential.

The other terms provided, such as latent heat, thermal energy, and heat capacity, refer to different concepts related to heat transfer and temperature change. Latent heat refers to the heat absorbed or released during a phase change without a temperature change. Thermal energy encompasses the total kinetic energy of the particles in a substance due to their motion, and heat capacity is a broader term that describes the amount of heat required to change the temperature of an entire object, rather than a unit mass.