Thermodynamics
Heat
Heat (q) is the transfer of thermal energy between objects at different temperatures. Heat flows spontaneously from a hotter object to a colder object until thermal equilibrium is reached. Heat is measured in Joules (J) or calories (cal). The relationship between heat and Temperature change is given by:
$$ q = mc\Delta T $$
where:
- q = heat transferred
- m = mass of the substance
- c = specific heat capacity (the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1°C)
- ΔT = change in temperature (final temperature - initial temperature)