Heat transfer, abbreviated as Q, is the process of exchanging thermal energy between physical systems. It is the process of thermal energy exchange between systems or objects due to a temperature difference. It is essential for understanding the behavior of materials and systems under different thermal conditions, and for designing efficient heat exchangers and thermal management systems.
Heat Transfer Formula |
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\( q \;=\; m \cdot c \cdot \Delta T \) (Heat Transfer) \( m \;=\; \dfrac{ q }{ c \cdot \Delta T }\) \( c \;=\; \dfrac{ q }{ m \cdot \Delta T }\) \( \Delta T \;=\; \dfrac{ q }{ m \cdot c }\) |
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| Symbol | English | Metric |
| \( q \) = Heat Transfer | \(Btu \;/\; hr\) | \(W\) |
| \( m \) = Object Mass | \(lbm\) | \(kg\) |
| \( c \) = Specific Heat | \(Btu \;/\; lbm-F\) | \(kJ \;/\; kg-K\) |
| \( \Delta T \) = Temperature Change | \( F \) | \( K \) |
This transfer of thermal energy can occur through three modes of heat transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat transfer is an important concept in many fields, including engineering, physics, and thermodynamics. In practical scenarios, heat transfer often involves a combination of these three modes. For example, the heating of a room may involve conduction through the walls, convection of air within the room, and radiation from a heating element.
