What is the difference between adding heat and adding cold?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter dreimd
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cold Discussion Heat
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the conceptual differences between "adding heat" and "adding cold" in thermodynamics. Participants agree that heat transfer occurs only from a hotter body to a colder body, emphasizing that "adding cold" is merely a way of describing the removal of heat. The conversation highlights that both terms reflect energy transfer but should be understood as processes rather than quantities. Ultimately, the consensus is that cold is the absence of heat, and thus cannot be added in the same way heat can be.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic thermodynamics principles
  • Familiarity with concepts of heat transfer and energy conservation
  • Knowledge of thermal energy and temperature measurement
  • Awareness of the first law of thermodynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the first law of thermodynamics and its implications for energy transfer
  • Explore the concept of thermal equilibrium and its role in heat transfer
  • Study the differences between conduction, convection, and radiation in heat transfer
  • Investigate the mathematical modeling of heat transfer in engineering applications
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, engineering, and thermodynamics, as well as anyone interested in understanding the principles of heat transfer and energy conservation.

  • #61
The opposite, "heating" with no temperature change is observed quite frequently, though most don't notice. Melting ice can absorb a lot of "heat" -- but just as the ice was 0 degrees C before the state change, the water is 0 degrees after. As long as the heating is slow and even, the ice/water mixture will remain at 0 degrees C until all the ice has melted.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
6K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
15K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 92 ·
4
Replies
92
Views
10K
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
8K
  • · Replies 80 ·
3
Replies
80
Views
12K