Heat vs Temperature – Difference and Comparison

What is Heat?

Heat is a form of energy transmitted between two objects with different temperatures. It is a form of thermal energy transferred through matter or space. Various sources, including the sun, electricity, and friction, can cause heat. Heat can travel through the air, water, and other materials.

Heat can be beneficial in some situations. It helps to keep us warm and can be used to cook food. Heat can also produce electricity, power engines, and provide cooling. Heat can also be dangerous when it is transferred too quickly or reaches a high temperature. It can cause burns, fires, and other damage.

Heat is measured using a variety of instruments, such as thermometers, calorimeters, and pyrometers. The units in which heat is measured are joules, calories, and British thermal units.

Heat energy is transferred through conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact, convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids, and radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves.

Heat converts matter from one form to another and causes chemical reactions, such as melting or boiling. It can also cause physical changes, such as evaporating liquids or expanding gases. Heat is essential in many aspects of life and plays a crucial role in the global climate.

What is Temperature?

Temperature is the measure of heat energy present in a substance. It is measured in degrees on various scales such as Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin, and Rankine. Heat energy is transferred from one object to another by conduction, convection, or radiation.

The temperature has a profound effect on the behavior of molecules. At higher temperatures, molecules move faster and are further apart, while at lower temperatures, molecules slow down and become more closely packed.

Temperature also affects the amount of energy released or absorbed during a reaction. For instance, the earth’s average global temperature has been steadily rising since the Industrial Revolution, a phenomenon known as global warming. As temperatures rise, weather events such as heat waves, droughts, and extreme storms become more common.

Temperature can also affect living organisms. Most organisms have a narrow range of temperatures at which they can survive. Organisms may suffer from dehydration, heat stroke, or even death when temperatures become too extreme.

Temperature is a fundamental physical property used to understand the world around us. It is essential to recognize how temperature affects the environment and living organisms to protect our planet and its inhabitants.

Difference between Heat and Temperature

  1. Heat transfers energy from one object to another, while temperature measures the average kinetic energy of particles in an object.
  2. Heat is affected by the amount of matter, while the temperature is not.
  3. Heat is a form of energy that flows from a warmer object to a cooler object, while temperature measures the average speed of the molecules in an object.
  4. Heat can be transferred in conduction, convection, and radiation while temperature cannot be transferred.
  5. Heat is a measure of the total energy of an object, while temperature measures the average energy of the molecules in an object.

Comparison Between Heat and Temperature

Parameters of ComparisonHeatTemperature
TypeForm of EnergyMeasure of hotness
Measuring unitsJoulesKelvin, Celsius, or Fahrenheit
RelationRelated to the transfer of energy between two objectsRelated to the average kinetic energy of molecules in an object
QuantityScalarVector
Measurement deviceCalorimeterThermometer

References

  1. Theory of Heat – James Clerk Maxwell, Peter Pesic – Google Books
  2. Temperature – T. J. Quinn – Google Books