Heat and Temperature: Compare and Contrast
Heat and Temperature: Compare and Contrast
Introduction to Science - CSI 110
Katherine B. Williams-Robinson
Strayer University
Professor Valery Shemetov
February 11, 2011
HTC 1
Abstract
It is important to know the difference between heat and temperature. It will lead to a clearer understanding of energy. In this paper, I will define both terms and hopefully reach an understanding of how they are related but not identical.
HTC 2
Introduction
Heat and temperature are two concepts that often confused. They are related to each other because they are both related to the concept of thermal energy. Thermal energy is the energy that a substance possesses due to the kinetic energy or motion of its molecules. Heat is not temperature. Perhaps the reason the two are usually and incorrectly thought to be the same is because as human beings on Earth our every day experience leads us to notice that when you add heat to something, say like putting a pot of water on the stove, then the temperature of that something goes up. More heat, more temperature they must be the same, right? Turns out, though, this is not true. Temperature is a number. That number is related to energy, but it is not energy itself. Temperature is a number that is related to the aver kinetic energy of the molecules of a substance. Its not saying that temperature is kinetic energy. The relation between temperature and kinetic is: If temperature is measured in Kelvin degrees, then its value is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of the molecules of a substance. Note that temperature is not energy, it is a number proportional to a type of
Introduction to Science - CSI 110
Katherine B. Williams-Robinson
Strayer University
Professor Valery Shemetov
February 11, 2011
HTC 1
Abstract
It is important to know the difference between heat and temperature. It will lead to a clearer understanding of energy. In this paper, I will define both terms and hopefully reach an understanding of how they are related but not identical.
HTC 2
Introduction
Heat and temperature are two concepts that often confused. They are related to each other because they are both related to the concept of thermal energy. Thermal energy is the energy that a substance possesses due to the kinetic energy or motion of its molecules. Heat is not temperature. Perhaps the reason the two are usually and incorrectly thought to be the same is because as human beings on Earth our every day experience leads us to notice that when you add heat to something, say like putting a pot of water on the stove, then the temperature of that something goes up. More heat, more temperature they must be the same, right? Turns out, though, this is not true. Temperature is a number. That number is related to energy, but it is not energy itself. Temperature is a number that is related to the aver kinetic energy of the molecules of a substance. Its not saying that temperature is kinetic energy. The relation between temperature and kinetic is: If temperature is measured in Kelvin degrees, then its value is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of the molecules of a substance. Note that temperature is not energy, it is a number proportional to a type of
References: World Book Encyclopedia H and T, copyright 1994 www.Zonalandeducation.com/…/heat And Tem…