Heat transfer is the process of thermal energy moving from one object or substance to another. This can occur through three main mechanisms: conduction, convection, and radiation.
Latent heat is the amount of energy that is required to change the state of a substance without changing its temperature. This energy is used to break or form molecular bonds, and is released or absorbed during phase changes such as melting, freezing, evaporation, or condensation.
Heat transfer plays a crucial role in many aspects of our daily lives. It is responsible for keeping our homes warm, our food cooked, and our bodies at a comfortable temperature. It also drives weather patterns and ocean currents, and is essential for many industrial processes.
The rate of heat transfer is affected by several factors, including the temperature difference between the two objects or substances, the distance between them, the thermal conductivity of the materials, and the surface area of contact between them.
The amount of heat transferred can be quantified using the equation Q = mcΔT, where Q is the heat transferred, m is the mass of the substance, c is its specific heat capacity, and ΔT is the change in temperature. The unit for heat transfer is joules (J).