1. What is Sensible Heat?

Sensible heat is the energy required to change the temperature of a substance without changing its phase. It's called "sensible" because it can be "sensed" or measured as a temperature change.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the sensible heat equation:

Where:

• \( q \) — Sensible heat (Joules)
• \( m \) — Mass of the substance (kg)
• \( c_p \) — Specific heat capacity (J/kg·K)
• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature change (Kelvin)

Explanation: The equation calculates the thermal energy absorbed or released when a substance changes temperature.

3. Importance of Sensible Heat Calculation

Details: Calculating sensible heat is essential in thermodynamics, HVAC design, chemical processes, and any application involving heat transfer where phase change doesn't occur.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kg, specific heat capacity in J/kg·K, and temperature change in Kelvin. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between sensible and latent heat?
A: Sensible heat changes temperature, while latent heat changes phase (like melting or boiling) without temperature change.

Q2: Can I use Celsius instead of Kelvin?
A: Yes, because ΔT is the same in both scales (1K change = 1°C change). Just be consistent with units.

Q3: What are typical specific heat values?
A: Water: ~4186 J/kg·K, Air: ~1005 J/kg·K, Aluminum: ~900 J/kg·K, Iron: ~450 J/kg·K.

Q4: Does this work for cooling as well as heating?
A: Yes, negative ΔT (cooling) means heat is being removed from the system.

Q5: How does this relate to BTU calculations?
A: 1 BTU ≈ 1055 Joules. For BTU calculations, convert the result or use appropriate units throughout.