[Physics] Stefan Boltzmann law and specific heat of a body

temperaturethermal-radiationthermodynamics

Consider a body (not blackbody) at temperature $T$ kept at surrounding of temperature $T_s$. Due to the temperature difference, heat will be lost from the body in the form of radiations from its surface area which in turn will change its body temperature. Is there any connection between the specific heat capacity and the heat lost?

Best Answer

Yes. Specific heat is the heat required to raise the temperature of the unit mass of a given substance by a given amount (usually one degree). So an object with a large specific heat will absorb or radiate more heat to lower the temperature difference. In your example, the lower temperature mass will absorb photons from the warmer surroundings. It will absorb a number of photons such that the temperature difference is zero. But it will take more photons for an object with a higher specific heat.