Which factor distinguishes specific heat from heat capacity?

Specific heat is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius (or one Kelvin). This definition inherently incorporates mass, which is why specific heat is often expressed in terms of specific heat capacity (e.g., joules per kilogram per degree Celsius, J/kg°C).

In contrast, heat capacity is a broader concept that refers to the total amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a given quantity of a substance by one degree Celsius. Heat capacity can depend on the amount of material, and it does not take into account the mass per unit; instead, it is an extensive property.

The distinction lies in the fact that while specific heat relates directly to the mass of the substance involved (it is an intensive property), heat capacity can reflect the overall heat absorption characteristics of any given quantity, regardless of whether it's a small sample or a large mass. This differentiation makes it clear that specific heat is fundamentally linked to the mass involved, unlike heat capacity, which is more general.

The other options do not accurately reflect the distinction between specific heat and heat capacity. Heat capacity is dependent on the material, not independent; specific heat applies to all states of matter (solids, liquids