Heat — Science definition
Defined in 3 courses:
- Energy transfer caused by a temperature difference. (Science 6: Matter, Energy & Earth Systems)
- Energy transferred because of a temperature difference. (Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy)
- Thermal energy that flows from a warmer object to a cooler one. (Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy)
Where it is taught
- Heat, Temperature & Thermal Energy — Energy, Heat & Thermal Design, Science 6: Matter, Energy & Earth Systems, Grade 6
- Temperature & Thermal Energy — Phases of Matter, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Thermal Energy & Heat Transfer — Energy & Heat Transfer, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
In use
Heat is a third thing again, and the word is used loosely in ordinary speech.
Heat, Temperature & Thermal Energy
Heat is energy transferred because of a temperature difference.
Temperature & Thermal Energy
The second way is convection, which moves heat through the actual motion of a fluid — a liquid or a gas.
Thermal Energy & Heat Transfer
Questions using heat
Problem 1
- temperature: A property related to average microscopic particle motion in a simple material model.
- Heat is a material substance stored inside an object.
- The hotter sample must always have the greater total thermal energy.
- One illustrative result establishes every real condition and needs no further evidence.
Answer and explanation
temperature: A property related to average microscopic particle motion in a simple material model.
A property related to average microscopic particle motion in a simple material model. Both cups are warmer than the room, so net heat transfer tends outward and they cool. A has the higher temperature, while B contains more water. Without a stated energy model and reference, these readings alone do not justify a complete numerical total-energy comparison. Degrees Celsius cannot simply be relabeled as joules.
Problem 2
- Heat is a material substance stored inside an object.
- heat: Energy transfer caused by a temperature difference.
- The hotter sample must always have the greater total thermal energy.
- One illustrative result establishes every real condition and needs no further evidence.
Answer and explanation
heat: Energy transfer caused by a temperature difference.
Energy transfer caused by a temperature difference. Both cups are warmer than the room, so net heat transfer tends outward and they cool. A has the higher temperature, while B contains more water. Without a stated energy model and reference, these readings alone do not justify a complete numerical total-energy comparison. Degrees Celsius cannot simply be relabeled as joules.
Problem 3
- The hotter sample must always have the greater total thermal energy.
- Heat is a material substance stored inside an object.
- temperature: A property related to average microscopic particle motion in a simple material model.
- Every classroom model reproduces reality exactly.
Answer and explanation
temperature: A property related to average microscopic particle motion in a simple material model.
A property related to average microscopic particle motion in a simple material model. Both cups are warmer than the room, so net heat transfer tends outward and they cool. A has the higher temperature, while B contains more water. Without a stated energy model and reference, these readings alone do not justify a complete numerical total-energy comparison. Degrees Celsius cannot simply be relabeled as joules.
Problem 4
- colder to warmer
- warmer to colder
- smaller to larger, always
- lighter to heavier, always
Answer and explanation
warmer to colder
Temperature difference sets the net direction.
Taught alongside
- temperature
- evidence
- system boundary
- uncertainty
- thermal equilibrium
- model
- assumption
- thermal energy
- conduction
- convection
- radiation