The correct spelling of "sensible heat" is /ˈsɛnsəbəl hiːt/. The word "sensible" means able to be perceived by the senses, while "heat" refers to the transfer of thermal energy. In thermodynamics, sensible heat refers to the heat energy that can be measured or detected by a temperature-sensitive device, such as a thermometer. Proper spelling and understanding of this term can help professionals in the fields of engineering, physics, and earth sciences accurately discuss and quantify the transfer of thermal energy.
Sensible heat refers to the heat that is exchanged in a substance or object that causes a change in its temperature without any phase change occurring. It is the heat that can be detected or sensed by the human body or through the use of a thermometer. Sensible heat is a measure of the thermal energy that is added to or removed from a substance or object, resulting in an increase or decrease in its temperature.
In simpler terms, when an object is heated, its molecules gain energy and move faster, causing an increase in temperature. Similarly, when an object is cooled, its molecules lose energy and move slower, resulting in a decrease in temperature. This exchange of heat energy without any change in the physical state of the substance is known as sensible heat.
Sensible heat can be transferred through conduction, convection, or radiation. For example, when you hold a hot cup of coffee, the heat energy from the coffee is transferred to your hands through conduction, making them feel warm. Similarly, when you sit near a fire, the heat energy is transferred to you through radiation, making you feel warm.
In industries and engineering, sensible heat is an important concept in the design and operation of heating and cooling systems. It helps in determining the amount of heat energy required or removed from a substance or system, allowing for efficient temperature control and energy management.
The heat which, when absorbed by a substance, causes a rise in temperature; opposed to latent h.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "sensible heat" consists of two parts: "sensible" and "heat".
1. "Sensible": The term "sensible" comes from the Latin word "sensibilis", which is derived from the verb "sentire" meaning "to feel" or "to perceive". In English, it has evolved to mean "capable of being perceived by the senses" or "easily perceptible". In the context of thermodynamics, sensible heat refers to the heat that causes a change in temperature and can be detected by the senses.
2. "Heat": The word "heat" can be traced back to Old English "hǣtu" and Middle English "het", both meaning "hotness".