Sensible heat is defined as the change in heat that is measurable with a thermometer.

Sensible heat is defined as the change in heat that is measurable with a thermometer.

• A. The energy released during condensation
• B. The change in heat that is measurable with a thermometer
• C. The energy required to heat a substance beyond its boiling point
• D. The energy associated with chemical reactions

Answer: (B)

Sensible heat is the part of heat that changes a substance’s temperature, which a thermometer can detect as a temperature change. When energy is absorbed or released during a phase change, the temperature stays the same for that portion, and that energy is latent heat, not sensible heat. The phrase describing a change in heat that is measurable with a thermometer matches exactly what sensible heat is. The energy involved in condensation, for example, is latent heat released during a phase change. Heating beyond the boiling point can involve sensible heat if the temperature actually changes, but the defining idea is the measurable temperature change, not the phase-change energy. Energy tied to chemical reactions is chemical energy, not sensible heat.

Sensible heat is the part of heat that changes a substance’s temperature, which a thermometer can detect as a temperature change. When energy is absorbed or released during a phase change, the temperature stays the same for that portion, and that energy is latent heat, not sensible heat. The phrase describing a change in heat that is measurable with a thermometer matches exactly what sensible heat is. The energy involved in condensation, for example, is latent heat released during a phase change. Heating beyond the boiling point can involve sensible heat if the temperature actually changes, but the defining idea is the measurable temperature change, not the phase-change energy. Energy tied to chemical reactions is chemical energy, not sensible heat.