Which one of the following statements best defines the concept of heat

Which one of the following statements best defines the concept of heat ?

The transformation of energy from one form to another
The conversion of energy into mass and vice-versa due to temperature difference
The transfer of energy due to temperature difference
The change in volume of a substance with temperature
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2024
Heat is defined as the transfer of thermal energy between systems or objects of different temperatures. Energy naturally flows from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature.
Heat is energy in transit, whereas temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles within a substance. When there is a temperature difference between two objects or systems in thermal contact, energy is transferred between them, and this transferred energy is called heat.
The other options describe related concepts but not the definition of heat itself. Option A describes energy transformation (e.g., chemical to thermal). Option B relates to mass-energy equivalence and is not the definition of heat. Option D describes thermal expansion, which is a consequence of temperature change, not the definition of heat transfer.
Exit mobile version