Heat and Heat Energy

We all consider heat (coldness or hotness) when we adjust the water temperature in the shower, decide what to wear in the morning, or change the climate controls in our car. Our homes, vehicles, and places of work have heating and cooling systems to keep us comfortable, and many of us use the weather forecast to help us decide what to wear. There are many different ways we use and/or control heat in our everyday lives. This course deals with heat from a scientific point of view, as energy. It introduces the basic principles of heat, thermal energy, and heat transfer. It describes the effects of heat, the relationship between heat and temperature, the difference between sensible heat and latent heat, and the Law of Conservation of Energy. These concepts are important to understand because many process systems require the addition or removal of heat. This course should help you understand how heating and cooling systems are designed and how they function.