Specific heat is the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree Celsius. It is a property that varies between different materials, meaning some substances heat up or cool down faster than others. For example, water has a high specific heat, which allows it to absorb a lot of heat without a significant change in temperature. This property is important in various fields, including meteorology, engineering, and cooking. Understanding specific heat helps in predicting how substances will behave when exposed to heat, which is crucial for processes like temperature regulation in climate systems or designing thermal insulation materials.