Key Differences Between Temperature and Heat in Thermal Physics

Temperature and heat can be confusing, but they are not the same thing in thermal physics.

1. Definitions:

   • Temperature tells us how hot or cold something is. It shows the average energy of tiny particles in a substance. When you touch something, what you feel is the temperature. Cooler things have lower temperatures.
   • Heat is a type of energy that moves between objects when they are at different temperatures. For example, if you put a hot cup of coffee on a cold table, heat moves from the coffee to the table.

2. Units:

   • We measure temperature in degrees Celsius (°C), Kelvin (K), or Fahrenheit (°F).
   • Heat is measured in joules (J).

3. How We Measure:

   • To measure temperature, we can use tools like thermometers or thermocouples.
   • To find out how much heat is transferred, we can use a method called calorimetry. This measures how the temperature changes when heat is added or taken away.

Knowing these differences makes it easier to understand thermal physics!