Sensible Heat Calculator
Calculate the heat required to change temperature of materials using mass, specific heat, and temperature difference
Calculate Sensible Heat
Mass of the object undergoing temperature change
Select material or choose "Custom" to enter specific heat capacity
Starting temperature of the object
Target temperature of the object
Sensible Heat Results
Energy Unit Conversions
Calculation Details
Heat Transfer Analysis
Example Calculation
Heating Water
Material: Water
Mass: 2 kg
Specific Heat: 4,182 J/(kg·K)
Initial Temp: 20°C
Final Temp: 100°C
Calculation
Q = m × c × ΔT
Q = 2 × 4,182 × (100 - 20)
Q = 2 × 4,182 × 80
Q = 669.12 kJ
Heat required to heat 2 kg water from 20°C to 100°C
Sensible Heat Formula
Specific Heat Values
Physics Tips
Positive Q means heat is added (heating)
Negative Q means heat is removed (cooling)
Assumes no phase changes occur
Higher specific heat = more energy needed
Water has one of the highest specific heats
Understanding Sensible Heat
What is Sensible Heat?
Sensible heat is the energy required to change the temperature of a substance without changing its phase. Unlike latent heat (which causes phase changes), sensible heat results in temperature changes that you can "sense" or measure with a thermometer.
Key Characteristics
- •Directly proportional to temperature change
- •Depends on mass and specific heat capacity
- •Can be positive (heating) or negative (cooling)
- •No phase change occurs during the process
Sensible vs Latent Heat
Sensible Heat
Causes temperature change without phase change. Example: heating water from 20°C to 80°C.
Latent Heat
Causes phase change without temperature change. Example: melting ice at 0°C or boiling water at 100°C.
Important: During phase transitions, only latent heat is involved. Sensible heat calculations assume the substance remains in the same phase.
Formula Derivation and Units
Mathematical Relationship
Unit Analysis
Real-World Applications
HVAC Systems
Calculate energy requirements for heating and cooling buildings. Determine the capacity needed for air conditioning and heating systems.
Food Processing
Design thermal processes for cooking, pasteurization, and food preservation. Calculate energy costs for food production.
Thermal Storage
Design thermal energy storage systems using materials with high specific heat capacity like water or specialized salts.