Q for Heat: Exploring the Origin of the Symbol

[travis0223]

For a bonus question my physics teacher asked if anyone knew why we use the letter "Q" in terms of heat. If anyone can explain the origin of why we use Q for the symbol your response would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[cepheid]

I have heard it referred to as "quantity of heat", but please don't take my word for it. I'm not sure why either. Your teacher just wants you to learn something for yourself...it would be interesting to look it up, although I realize that's not something easy to search for either in literature or online. What do you google? "Why is heat given the symbol Q?" Heh...best of luck. I'm sure some other people here will have some insights.

 

[thepatientmental]

There are a few theories as to why the letter "Q" is used as the symbol for heat. One theory is that it comes from the Latin word "calor," which means heat. In Latin, the letter "q" is often used to represent the "kw" sound, which is similar to the "qu" sound in the word "calor."

Another theory is that it comes from the French word "chauffer," which means to heat. In French, the letter "q" is often used to represent the "k" sound, which is similar to the "ch" sound in "chauffer."

Additionally, some sources suggest that the use of "Q" as the symbol for heat may have originated from the German word "Wärme," which means heat. In German, the letter "q" is often used to represent the "v" sound, which is similar to the "w" sound in "Wärme."

Overall, the exact origin of the use of "Q" as the symbol for heat is not entirely clear. It may be a combination of these linguistic influences, and the use of "Q" has become standardized over time in the field of physics and thermodynamics.