Sensible Heat

Sensible heat, abbreviated as Q, is the heat added to a substance which increases its temperature but not the phase is called sensible heat.  The sensible heat added to a substance can be readily calculated.  The quantity of heat in a body or the amount of heat energy which a body gains or loses in passing through a temperature range is measured in thermal units.  Sensible heat refers to the heat energy that can be sensed or measured by changes in temperature.  It is the heat transfer associated with a change in the temperature of a substance or object without undergoing a change in state (phase).  When sensible heat is added to a substance, its temperature increases, and when sensible heat is removed, its temperature decreases.  This transfer of heat energy affects the kinetic energy of the particles within the substance, causing them to move faster or slower.

For example, when you heat a metal rod, the energy added to the rod increases the kinetic energy of its atoms or molecules, causing them to vibrate more rapidly.  As a result, the temperature of the rod increases.  Similarly, when you cool a liquid by placing it in a refrigerator, heat is removed from the liquid, causing its temperature to decrease.

Sensible Heat Formula
\( Q_s \;=\; m\;c \; \Delta T \)     (Sensible Heat) \( m \;=\;  Q_s \;/\; c \; \Delta T  \) \( c \;=\;  Q_s \;/\; m\; \Delta T  \) \( \Delta T \;=\;  Q_s \;/\; m\;c  \)
Symbol	English	Metric
\(\large{ Q_s }\) = sensible heat	\(Btu\;/\;lbm\)	\(kJ\;/\;kg\)
\(\large{ m }\) = mass	\(lbm\)	\(kg\)
\(\large{ c }\) = specific heat	\(Btu\;/\;lbm-F\)	\(kJ\;/\;kg-K\)
\(\large{ \Delta T }\) = temperature change	\(F\)	\(K\)