Heat

Heat

Heat is the interaction between systems which occurs by virtue of their temperature difference when they communicate.

If a system, at a given temperature is brought in contact with another system (or surroundings) at a lower temperature, it can be observed that heat is transferred from the system at the higher temperature to the system at lower temperature. This heat transfer occurs solely because of the temperature difference between the two systems. Another important aspect of the definition of heat is that a body never contains heat. Rather, heat can be identified only as it crosses the boundary. Similar to work, heat is also a form of energy transfer occurring at the boundary of the system and is a path function.

Sign Convention of Heat

       · Heat given into a system is positive

       · Heat coming out of the system is negative

Modes of Heat Exchange

Conduction, convection and radiation are the three possible modes of heat transfer between systems and between system and its surroundings.

Conduction occurs without bulk movement of molecules. Energy transfer in conduction is due to lattice vibration and free electron movement. It is the predominant mode of heat transfer in solids.

Convection occurs with bulk movement of molecules and therefore, occurs in gases and liquids. If the bulk movement or flow is due to an external device, it is known as forced convection. In the absence of an external device the flow is due to the difference in density caused by the temperature difference. This mode is known as natural convection.

Bodies separated by a distance may exchange heat in the form of electromagnetic waves without the participation of the intervening medium. It is known as radiation. It is generally a surface phenomenon. Sometimes as in the case of gas mixtures containing carbon dioxide and water vapour it is a volume phenomenon.