Heat is a concept within the scope of Physics which represents a form of energya, being the thermal energy in motion between atomic particles. The word heat can also refer to some hot thing, that is, with elevated temperature.
The greater the heat (thermal energy) applied to an object or system that is in isolated conditions (no external influences), the higher its temperature. When the two bodies have different temperatures and are in contact, the heat passes from the object with the highest temperature to the one with the lowest temperature, until the thermal balance.
Although the unit of measurement of heat is often the calorie (lime), according to the International System, heat is measured in joule (J), in tribute to James Prescott Joule, a British physicist who discovered (along with other physicists) that mechanical energy could transform into heat and vice versa.
In general, it is common to say that it is hot when the temperature is very high (in summer, for example). However, this question can be very subjective, because what is heat for me may not be for someone else.
In a figurative sense, the word heat can mean excitement or enthusiasm. Ex: The artist was embraced by the warmth of the audience.
It can also describe a situation where tempers are running high. Ex: In the heat of the moment, the argument turned into a violent fight.
heat and temperature
Although they are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between heat and temperature, two important concepts in thermology.
Heat is thermal energy in motion, that is, the kinetic energy from the movement of atoms or molecules.
On the other hand, temperature is the physical quantity used to measure the kinetic energy in question. Temperature associates a number with the vibration between molecules. Temperature is the system or scale created to measure molecular vibration, that is, heat.
Calorimetry
Calorimetry is the field that studies or process used to measure the amount of heat that is absorbed or released during a chemical or physical phenomenon.
In the medical field, calorimetry is used to measure the basal metabolism of a given organism, calculating the heat produced by a given individual. Calorimetry can also be used to quantify food calories.
specific heat
The expression specific heat indicates the amount of heat that needs to be supplied to a given substance so that its temperature rises by 1 degree centigrade.
For example: with a constant pressure of 1 atm, the specific heat of water is 1.0 cal/gºC, that is, 1 calorie per gram per degree centigrade.
latent heat
Latent heat refers to the heat existing in a body, which, despite not changing its temperature, causes a change in the molecular scope.
This molecular modification can be equivalent to moving from a solid to a liquid state or from a liquid to a gaseous state.
sensible heat
It is known as sensible heat the heat (thermal energy) applied to some body or substance, which it only causes a change in temperature, with no change in its state (solid, liquid or gaseous).