Measurement of Heat Energy

Heat energy is the energy that is transferred from one place to another as a result of temperature difference. Heat energy always flows from a region of high temperature to a region of lower temperature.

Heat energy is also called thermal energy. It is the total energy of a substance due to molecular motions and it is measured in JouleJoule is the SI (International System of Units) unit of energy and work. It is equal to the amount of work done when a force of 1 newton displaces a mass... More (J).

Heat Capacity:

Heat capacity is defined as the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a given mass of a material by one Kelvin (1K). It is denoted by C. SI unit of heat capacity is Jk^-1.

Heat capacity = mass × specific heat capacity

H = m × c

Example 4.1.1:

Calculate the heat capacity of a block of iron of mass 352 g, if its specific heat capacity is 460 JKg^-1K^-1.

Solution

Mass (m) = 352 kg, specific heat capacity (c) = 460 JKg^-1K^-1