Watts are associated with heat?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between watts and heat, specifically whether a watt is associated with heat energy or if it encompasses multiple forms of energy. Participants explore definitions and implications of power as measured in watts, with references to practical examples.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion over the definition of a watt as 1 J/s of heat flow, questioning whether this implies a watt is associated with heat.
  • Another participant asserts that energy exists in various forms, including heat, and defines power as energy per unit time.
  • A repeated assertion emphasizes that a watt is the SI unit of power, suggesting a direct relationship to energy flow.
  • A participant provides examples of practical applications, such as electric stoves and incandescent bulbs, to illustrate how watts relate to heat energy.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the nature of heat as a form of energy and its relation to power, with no resolution on the initial confusion expressed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the association of watts with heat, with some asserting that watts can represent heat energy while others emphasize the broader definition of power. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific relationship between watts and heat.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference definitions and practical examples, but there are unresolved questions about the implications of these definitions and their applicability in different contexts.

Rich76
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A guy told me that a watt is not associated with heat. Then I read that a watt can be defined as 1 J/s of heat flow. Wouldn't that mean a watt is IS associated with heat?

I think the guy was trying to say that a watt is associated with multiple forms of energy, not heat, specifically. I'm confused by the definition I read..
 
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Energy is energy is energy, be it heat, chemical energy, mechanical energy, electrical energy, potential energy, or whatever. Power is energy per unit time, period, end of sentence.
 
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Bystander said:
Energy is energy is energy, be it heat, chemical energy, mechanical energy, electrical energy, potential energy, or whatever. Power is energy per unit time, period, end of sentence.
Thank you. Any idea why a website would write that a watt can be defined as 1 J/s of heat flow?
 
That is the SI unit of power.
 
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Thanks again. :)
 
Wait, so a watt is the SI unit of power? I'm confused again. So, a watt is associated with heat?

Sorry, for wasting your time with my questions..
 
Last edited:
Heat is energy by another name, yes, and heat per unit time is still power. Think of the "burner" on an electric stove --- it's rated in watts, right? This many watts of electric power is converted to the same wattage of heat power for cooking. Or, incandescent bulbs ---- x watts of electric power turns into y watts of "waste" heat (unless you're hatching chickens, and that's the use you make of the bulbs) plus z watts of visible light energy per second.
And, you're not wasting anyone's time if you're clarifying definitions for yourself.
 
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Thank you. :)
 
Last edited:

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