Temperature Differential Formula |
||
|
\( \Delta T \;=\; T_2 - T_1 \) (Temperature Differential) \( T_2 \;=\; \Delta T + T_1 \) \( T_1 \;=\; T_2 - \Delta T \) |
||
| Symbol | English | Metric |
| \( \Delta T \) = Temperature Differential | \(^\circ F\) | \(^\circ C\) |
| \( T_2 \) = Higher Temperature | \(^\circ F\) | \(^\circ C\) |
| \( T_1 \) = Lower Temperature | \(^\circ F\) | \(^\circ C\) |
Temperature Differential Formula |
||
|
\( \Delta T \;=\; \dfrac{ Q_{cd} \cdot L }{ k \cdot A_c } \) (Temperature Differential) \( Q_{cd} \;=\; \dfrac{ \Delta T \cdot k \cdot A_c }{ L } \) \( L \;=\; \dfrac{ \Delta T \cdot k \cdot A_c }{ Q_{cd} } \) \( k \;=\; \dfrac{ Q_{cd} \cdot L }{ \Delta T \cdot A_c } \) \( A_c \;=\; \dfrac{ Q_{cd} \cdot L }{ \Delta T \cdot k } \) |
||
| Symbol | English | Metric |
| \( \Delta T \) = Temperature Differential | \(^\circ F\) | \(^\circ C\) |
| \( Q_{cd} \) = Heat Transfer by Conduction | \(Btu\;/\;hr\) | \(W\) |
| \( L \) = Material Thickness | \(in\) | \(mm\) |
| \( k \) = Material Thermal Conductivity | \(Btu\;/\;hr-ft-F\) | \(W\;/\;m-K\) |
| \( A_c \) = Area Cross-section | \( in^2 \) | \( mm^2 \) |
Temperature differential, abbreviated as \( \Delta T \), is the difference in temperature between two points, objects, regions, or systems. It is calculated by subtracting the temperature of one location or substance from the temperature of another, and it represents the driving force behind heat transfer in nature and engineering. Whenever a temperature differential exists, heat naturally flows from the hotter area to the cooler one until thermal equilibrium is reached, this is the fundamental principle described by the second law of thermodynamics.
In everyday contexts, temperature differential explains phenomena such as why a hot cup of coffee cools down in a room, how a refrigerator moves heat from its interior to the outside air, or why coastal areas have milder climates due to the ocean’s slower temperature changes compared to land. In science and industry, it is a critical parameter in heat exchangers, HVAC systems, electronics cooling, meteorology, building insulation, engines, and virtually any process involving thermal energy, because the rate of heat transfer (heat flux) is typically proportional to the magnitude of the temperature differential, as seen in Newton’s law of cooling and Fourier’s law of conduction. A larger temperature differential generally produces faster and more intense heat flow, whereas a small or zero differential means little to no net heat transfer occurs.
Temperature Differential Formula |
||
|
\( \Delta T \;=\; \dfrac{ Q_{cv} }{ h \cdot A_c } \) (Temperature Differential) \( Q_{cv} \;=\; \Delta T \cdot h \cdot A_c \) \( h \;=\; \dfrac{ Q_{cv} }{ \Delta T \cdot A_c } \) \( A_c \;=\; \dfrac{ Q_{cv} }{ h \cdot \Delta T } \) |
||
| Symbol | English | Metric |
| \( \Delta T \) = Temperature Differential | \(^\circ F\) | \(^\circ C\) |
| \(\large{ Q_{cv} }\) = Heat Transfer by Convection | \(Btu\;/\;hr\) | \(W\) |
| \( h \) = Heat Transfer Coefficient | \(Btu\;/\;hr-ft^2-F\) | \(W\;/\;m^2-K\) |
| \( A_c \) = Area Cross-section | \( in^2 \) | \( mm^2 \) |
On the other hand, change in temperature, abbreviated as \( \Delta T \), is to how much the temperature of a single object or system increases or decreases over time. It compares the same object’s temperature at one moment to its temperature at another moment. This concept is used in heating and cooling calculations, thermodynamics, and energy analysis, and is essential for formulas involving heat transfer within a material.
