Explain in your own words what heat is and explain the difference between heat and energy.

Also explain the three heat transfer mechanisms in words.

The meaning of heat in everyday language and in physics is different. In everyday language, heat means the condition of being hot whereas in physics, it is a form of kinetic energy due to random motion of atoms or molecules of an object. Heat can be defined as the spontaneous flow of energy from an object of higher temperature to an object of lower temperature. Temperature is a measure of the tendency of an object to give up energy to its surroundings. When two objects at different temperatures are in contact, heat will flow from the object of higher temperature to an object of lower temperature until both objects have the same temperature i.e. until they are in thermal equilibrium. The SI unit of heat is Joule (J) defined as the energy required by a force of one newton to travel a distance of one meter. Heat is also measured in calorie. 1J= 4.2 calorie. In laboratory, heat can be measured by calorimetry. Lets consider a system in which a battery is connected in series to a resister, which is immersed in water. Flow of energy from the battery to the resister can be classified as work and not heat because it is not spontaneous flow caused due to difference in temperature but flow of energy from resistor to water can be classified as heat because this flow is spontaneous caused by difference in temperature between resister and water. When two objects are at same temperature, it doesnt mean they have same amount of heat. Like other energy, heat can be converted into other forms of energy like electrical energy, mechanical energy etc. but heat cannot be converted completely into other forms of energy according to the second law of thermodynamics. In every day language, energy may mean as tendency to do intense activity but in physics, energy is defined as the capacity to do work. Its SI unit is Joule (J). Energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can be converted from one form to another. When an object falls from a certain height, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. When a current is passed through electric bulb, electrical energy converts into light energy. The different forms of energy are gravitational energy, electrical energy, magnetic energy, nuclear energy etc. There are three mechanisms by which heat transfers: conduction, convection and radiation. Conduction: It is the method by which heat transfers when fast moving molecules collide with slow moving molecules within an object without actual motion of object. When an iron rod is heated at one end, molecules start moving faster at heated end and collide with molecules moving slowly at other end transferring heat energy. Convection: It is the method in which heat transfers with motion of fluid. When water is heated, the lower layer of water molecules is heated. These heated molecules move in bulk towards upper layer carrying heat energy and upper layer water molecules move towards bottom. Radiation: It is a method in which heat transfers without any medium in the form of electromagnetic wave. Earth and other planets get heat from sun in the form of electromagnetic wave.