How is heat capacity defined?

Heat capacity is defined as the amount of heat required to change the temperature of an object by one degree Celsius. This definition captures the essence of how heat capacity relates to temperature change, as it quantifies the thermal energy needed to increase the temperature of a substance.

When a material absorbs heat, its temperature rises, and the relationship between the heat absorbed and the resulting temperature change is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics. The specific heat capacity, which is a related concept, refers to the heat capacity per unit mass of a substance and is often used to compare how different materials respond to added heat.

The other choices do not accurately represent heat capacity: vaporization involves phase changes rather than temperature changes, total energy stored encompasses potential and kinetic energy in addition to thermal energy, and heat exchanged in chemical reactions pertains to enthalpy and reaction dynamics rather than the specific definition of heat capacity. Overall, the correct answer effectively relates heat capacity to temperature change, aligning with fundamental principles in thermodynamics.