Sample interview questions: Explain the concept of heat and its relation to temperature.
Sample answer:
Heat and temperature are two fundamental concepts in thermodynamics, the branch of physics that deals with energy transfer and transformations. Understanding their relationship is crucial for comprehending various physical phenomena and engineering applications.
- Heat:
- Heat is the transfer of thermal energy between two systems or objects at different temperatures. It is a form of energy in transit, flowing from hotter to colder regions.
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Heat is not a property of a system but rather a process or interaction between systems. It is the movement of thermal energy due to a temperature difference.
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Temperature:
- Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles (atoms or molecules) in a system. It is a property of a system that describes its hotness or coldness.
- Temperature is quantified using various temperature scales, such as Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Kelvin. The Kelvin scale, also known as the absolute temperature scale, is widely used in scientific calculations.
Relation between Heat and Temperature:
– Heat flow is driven by a temperature difference. Heat always flows from a hotter object to a colder object.
– The greater the temperature difference, the faster the heat transfer.
– Adding heat to a system generally increases its temperature, while removing heat generally decreases its temperature.
– However, temperature changes do not always correspond to heat transfer. For example, when a solid melts or a liquid boils, the temperature remains constant during the phase transition, even though heat is being absor… Read full answer