Heat energy is measured in units called joules or calories. 1 calorie is the amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of 1.0 g (mL) of water by 1 C°. 1 calorie = 4.18 joules of energy
To calculate the amount of heat energy released, you must apply heat to a substance and measure the temperature change. To calculate the amount of energy, multiply the mass of the substance times the change in temperature times the specific heat capacity. The specific heat capacity of water is 1 calorie / g C° which is equivalent to 4.18 J / g C°
When applying heat to water: the formula is Energy = (mass water) x (change in temperature of water) x (specific heat capacity) E = m ΔT C p