Difference Between Heat and Temperature

Q: Differentiate between heat and temperature for class 12 or Explain heat vs temperature?

Heat Temperature Heat is a type of energy that can be transferred from hot body to cold one. The degree of hotness or coldness of a body is measured by its temperature. The entire kinetic and potential energy obtained by molecules in an object is referred to as heat. average K.E of molecules in a substance is temperature. Heat is transferred from a heated to a cold body. It increases when heated and falls down when an object is cool down. It have a working ability. Its do not have a working ability SI unit is Joule SI unit is Kelvin The calorimeter is used to calculate it. The thermometer is used to calculate it. Its representation is done by”Q” Its representation is done by”T”

Difference Between Heat and Temperature - A Complete Guide

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 05:00 PM IST

In this article we are going to see about heat, temperature, what is the difference between heat and temperature, difference between heat and work and many more. We frequently discuss heat and temperature in our daily lives, either in terms of weather or temperature.

Do we, however, understand the distinction between heat and temperature?

It's crucial to understand the subtle difference between heat and temperature scales for determining how hot or cold an object is.

They are linked, but they do not mean the same thing, contrary to popular assumption.

Understanding the difference between heat and temperature can help us better understand the world around us.

We will define heat and temperature in this article, as well as learn how they are related but not identical.

Temperature is not the same as heat.

Because of how closely they are related in real life, the concepts of heat and temperature may be confused.

When you heat something, the temperature rises.

When you lower the temperature, you are removing its heat.

Let's take a closer look at what they represent.

Also read -

What is heat and temperature?

Heat:- Heat in hindi means “tapish”. Heat is a type of energy that can be transferred from a hot body to a cold one. Heat is closely related with the Temperature.

Temperature:-The degree of hotness or coldness of a body is measured by its temperature

So, Heat is the total energy of a substance's molecular motions, whereas temperature is the measure of the average energy of those motions.

Three mechanisms are involved in heat transfer:

Conduction is the process of transferring heat between atoms and molecules that are in direct contact.
Convection is a heat transfer mechanism in which heat is transferred by the movement of a heated object.
Radiation is a heat transmission mechanism that uses electromagnetic waves to transmit heat.

Difference Between Heat and Temperature - A Complete Guide

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The heat is determined by elements such as particle speed, particle size, and particle number, among others.Temperature, on the other hand, is unaffected by these variables.

Consider the difference between a tub of water and a cup of water.

Even though the water in the tub and the cup are the same temperature, the water in the tub has more thermal energy and thus more heat due to the number of particles in the tub.

A temperature is a number that represents the energy held by a substance's molecules, which is directly proportional to the kinetic energy held by the substance's particles.

Temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin, the SI unit of measurement.

As previously stated, temperature is proportional to kinetic energy of molecules; thus, doubling the temperature (in degrees Kelvin) of a substance doubles the average kinetic energy possessed by those molecules.

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Now let's look at heat and temperature in more detail.

When you give a substance heat, you're giving it energy. When you heat a substance, one of two things can happen:

The temperature of the substances rises in response to an increase in the kinetic energy of the molecules; that is, heat provides the molecules more energy to move around at a faster rate, and this faster movement results in a rise in temperature.

The molecules are now travelling at a faster rate than they were before the heat was applied.

The substance can also change phase or state; for example, at a certain temperature, such as 100oC or 373oK, water molecules begin to leave in a vapour state when more heat is applied.

This is referred to as a phase shift.

One thing to remember is that adding energy to change the state of a substance does not result in an increase in temperature; for example, if we have a cup of water at 90oC, adding heat will cause it to rise to 100oC; if we continue to add heat, the water will turn into water vapour at 100oC.

The absorbed energy in phase changes is called the latent because it is used to change the phase rather than raise the temperature.

What is the difference between heat and temperature or distinguish between heat and temperature

Heat	Temperature
Heat is a type of energy that can be transferred from hot temperatured body to cold one.	The degree of hotness or coldness of a body is measured by its temperature.
The entire kinetic and potential energy obtained by molecules in an object is referred to as heat.	The average K.E of molecules in a substance is temperature.
Heat is transferred from a heated body to a cold body.	It increases when heated and falls down when an object is cooled down.
It has a working ability.	Its do not have a working ability
SI unit is Joule.	SI unit is Kelvin.
The calorimeter is used to calculate it.	The thermometer is used to calculate it.
Its representation is done by”Q”	Its representation is done by”T”

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Above table shows heat and temperature difference

NCERT Physics Notes :

Similarities Between Heat and Temperature.

In thermodynamics, they are both significant quantities.

The ability to monitor temperature as well as the ability to follow heat transfers are both required for the study of thermal energy.

Temperature variations are what drive heat transfer.

When two things have differing temperatures, heat energy will flow from one to the other until thermal equilibrium is attained.

As a result, temperature differences are the driving force behind heat transfer.

Difference between heat and work

Heat and work are two separate types of energy transmission from one system to another.

In the science of thermodynamics, the distinction between heat and work is crucial.

The transmission of thermal energy between systems is known as heat, whereas the transfer of mechanical energy between two systems is known as work.

The contrast between microscopic (heat) and macroscopic (work) motion is critical to understanding how thermodynamic systems work.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Define heat and temperature? Or What do you mean by heat and temperature?

Heat:-Heat is a type of energy that can be transferred from a hot body to a cold one.

Temperature:-The degree of hotness or coldness of a body is measured by its temperature

2. What is the temperature of the highest state of matter?

The temperature of gas is the highest.

3. What is the coldest temperature that can be reached?

The coldest temperature imaginable is absolute zero.

4. What are the heat sources?

The sources of heat are as follows:

Sun Chemical Electrical Nuclear

5. What is the most frequent temperature scale used by scientists?

The Kelvin temperature scale is the most often used by scientists.

6. Differentiate between heat and temperature for class 12 or Explain heat vs temperature?

Heat	Temperature
Heat is a type of energy that can be transferred from hot body to cold one.	The degree of hotness or coldness of a body is measured by its temperature.
The entire kinetic and potential energy obtained by molecules in an object is referred to as heat.	average K.E of molecules in a substance is temperature.
Heat is transferred from a heated to a cold body.	It increases when heated and falls down when an object is cool down.
It have a working ability.	Its do not have a working ability
SI unit is Joule	SI unit is Kelvin
The calorimeter is used to calculate it.	The thermometer is used to calculate it.
Its representation is done by”Q”	Its representation is done by”T”

7. How Are Temperature And Hotness Of A Body Related?

A body's temperature and hotness are connected but not identical.

The sum of the kinetic energy in a body's molecules is referred to as heat, whereas the temperature is the measurement of heat in a body.

As a result, as a body's collective kinetic energy, or heat, rises, the body's temperature rises as well.

8. Can an object have a negative temperature on the Kelvin scale?

No, the Kelvin scale has an absolute zero (0 K), which is the lowest possible temperature where particles have minimal motion. Negative temperatures on the Kelvin scale are not physically possible.

9. Why do we feel cooler when we step out of a swimming pool?

When water evaporates from your skin, it takes heat energy with it, cooling your body. This process is called evaporative cooling and is more noticeable when stepping out of a pool due to the larger amount of water on your skin.

10. Why does adding heat to ice at 0°C not immediately increase its temperature?

At 0°C, the added heat goes into breaking the bonds between water molecules, changing ice from solid to liquid without increasing temperature. This process is called latent heat of fusion.

11. How can the same amount of heat result in different temperature changes for different materials?

Different materials have different specific heat capacities. Materials with higher specific heat capacities require more heat to increase their temperature by the same amount compared to materials with lower specific heat capacities.

12. Why does blowing on hot food cool it down?

Blowing replaces the warm air near the food's surface with cooler air, increasing the temperature difference and rate of heat transfer. It also increases evaporation, which further cools the food through evaporative cooling.

13. What is the fundamental difference between heat and temperature?

Heat is the transfer of thermal energy between objects, while temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in an object. Heat is a process, whereas temperature is a property of matter.

14. Can an object have heat?

No, an object cannot "have" heat. Heat is energy in transit between objects due to a temperature difference. Objects possess thermal energy, not heat.

15. How can two objects have the same temperature but different amounts of thermal energy?

Objects with different masses or specific heat capacities can have the same temperature but different amounts of thermal energy. A large swimming pool and a cup of water at the same temperature have vastly different amounts of thermal energy due to their mass difference.

16. What happens to the temperature of water as it boils?

The temperature of water remains constant at 100°C (at standard atmospheric pressure) while boiling, despite continued heat addition. The added heat goes into changing the water's state from liquid to gas without increasing its temperature.

17. Can heat flow from a cold object to a hot object?

No, heat naturally flows from a higher temperature object to a lower temperature object. However, heat pumps and refrigerators can move heat from cold to hot objects using external work.

18. Why does a metal spoon feel colder than a wooden spoon at room temperature?

Metal conducts heat better than wood. When you touch the metal spoon, it quickly transfers heat from your hand, giving a sensation of coldness. The wooden spoon is a poor conductor, so heat transfer occurs more slowly.

19. How does a thermos keep hot things hot and cold things cold?

A thermos minimizes heat transfer through conduction, convection, and radiation. It uses vacuum insulation to reduce conduction and convection, and reflective surfaces to minimize radiation, thus maintaining the temperature of its contents.

20. What's the difference between heat capacity and specific heat capacity?

Heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of an entire object by 1°C. Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1°C. Heat capacity depends on mass, while specific heat capacity is a property of the material.

21. How does sweating cool the human body?

Sweating cools the body through evaporative cooling. As sweat evaporates, it takes heat energy from the skin, lowering body temperature. The process is more effective in dry environments where evaporation occurs more readily.

22. Why does a fan make us feel cooler without changing the room temperature?

A fan increases air circulation, which enhances evaporation of sweat from our skin. This evaporative cooling effect makes us feel cooler without actually lowering the room temperature.

23. Why do deserts experience extreme temperature changes between day and night?

Deserts have low humidity and little cloud cover. During the day, the sun heats the ground quickly. At night, heat radiates rapidly into space without water vapor or clouds to trap it, causing significant temperature drops.

24. How does a refrigerator cool its contents while expelling heat?

A refrigerator uses a heat pump to move heat from its interior to the exterior. It compresses and expands a refrigerant to absorb heat from inside and release it outside, effectively cooling the contents while warming the surrounding air.

25. What's the difference between conduction, convection, and radiation in heat transfer?

Conduction is heat transfer through direct contact between particles. Convection involves the movement of fluids or gases to transfer heat. Radiation is heat transfer through electromagnetic waves, requiring no medium.

26. Why does adding salt to ice make it colder?

Adding salt to ice lowers its freezing point, causing the ice to melt. This endothermic process absorbs heat from the surroundings, making the mixture colder than the original ice.

27. Why does water have such a high specific heat capacity compared to other substances?

Water's high specific heat capacity is due to its hydrogen bonds. These bonds require significant energy to break and reform, allowing water to absorb or release large amounts of heat with relatively small temperature changes.

28. How does the temperature of a gas relate to its pressure in a fixed volume?

In a fixed volume, increasing the temperature of a gas increases its pressure. Higher temperatures mean faster-moving particles, which collide more frequently and forcefully with the container walls, increasing pressure.

29. Why does the boiling point of water decrease at higher altitudes?

At higher altitudes, atmospheric pressure is lower. This reduced pressure makes it easier for water molecules to overcome the forces holding them in the liquid state, allowing water to boil at a lower temperature.

30. How does the heat index differ from actual temperature?

The heat index combines air temperature and relative humidity to determine how hot it feels to the human body. It can be higher than the actual temperature because high humidity reduces the body's ability to cool through evaporation.

31. How does insulation work to keep things hot or cold?

Insulation works by creating barriers to heat flow. It typically uses materials with low thermal conductivity and often incorporates air pockets, which are poor conductors of heat. This slows down heat transfer, helping maintain temperature differences.

32. What's the difference between heat capacity and thermal conductivity?

Heat capacity is the amount of heat an object can store, while thermal conductivity is how well it conducts heat. A material with high heat capacity can store a lot of heat with little temperature change, while one with high thermal conductivity transfers heat quickly.

33. Why does a cup of coffee cool down faster than a pot of coffee, even though they start at the same temperature?

The cup of coffee has a larger surface area-to-volume ratio than the pot. This means it has more surface area exposed to the cooler air relative to its volume, allowing for faster heat transfer and cooling.

34. How does the specific heat capacity of water impact climate?

Water's high specific heat capacity allows oceans to absorb and release large amounts of heat with minimal temperature change. This helps moderate Earth's climate, keeping coastal areas warmer in winter and cooler in summer compared to inland regions.

35. How does the temperature of the universe relate to its expansion?

As the universe expands, it cools. This is because the same amount of energy is spread over an increasing volume, reducing the average kinetic energy of particles and thus lowering the overall temperature of the universe.

36. Why does a pressure cooker cook food faster than a regular pot?

A pressure cooker increases the boiling point of water by increasing pressure inside the pot. This higher temperature allows food to cook faster than in a regular pot where water boils at a lower temperature.

37. Why does the temperature of a gas decrease during rapid expansion?

During rapid expansion, gas molecules do work against their surroundings, using their kinetic energy. This reduces the average kinetic energy of the molecules, resulting in a temperature decrease. This principle is used in refrigeration systems.

38. How does the temperature of a star relate to its color?

The color of a star is directly related to its surface temperature. Hotter stars appear blue or white, while cooler stars appear orange or red. This relationship is due to the peak wavelength of emitted light shifting with temperature.

39. Why does the air temperature often drop just before it starts to rain?

Before rain, water droplets in clouds begin to evaporate. This evaporation process requires energy, which is taken from the surrounding air, cooling it. Additionally, falling rain can drag cooler air from higher altitudes down to the surface.

40. How does the concept of heat capacity affect the urban heat island effect?

Urban areas often have materials with high heat capacities, like concrete and asphalt. These materials absorb and store heat during the day and release it slowly at night, contributing to higher temperatures in cities compared to surrounding rural areas.

41. Why does the temperature of a superconductor drop to zero when it transitions to a superconducting state?

In a superconducting state, electrons form Cooper pairs that flow without resistance. This lack of resistance means no energy is lost as heat, effectively reducing the temperature to absolute zero within the superconducting material, even though the overall object may be at a higher temperature.

42. What's the relationship between temperature and particle motion?

Temperature is directly related to the average kinetic energy of particles. Higher temperatures mean faster particle motion, while lower temperatures indicate slower particle motion.

43. Can heat be created or destroyed?

No, heat is a form of energy, and according to the law of conservation of energy, it cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be converted from one form to another or transferred between objects.

44. How does thermal expansion relate to temperature changes?

Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to increase in volume when heated. As temperature increases, particles gain kinetic energy and move farther apart, causing the material to expand.

45. How does the greenhouse effect relate to heat and temperature?

The greenhouse effect occurs when certain gases in Earth's atmosphere trap heat, warming the planet. These gases allow sunlight to pass through but absorb and re-emit infrared radiation, increasing the overall temperature.

46. Why does rubbing your hands together make them warmer?

Rubbing your hands together converts mechanical energy into thermal energy through friction. This increases the kinetic energy of particles in your skin, raising its temperature and making your hands feel warmer.

47. How does the concept of thermal equilibrium relate to heat and temperature?

Thermal equilibrium is reached when two objects in contact have the same temperature and no net heat flow occurs between them. Heat always flows from higher to lower temperature objects until equilibrium is achieved.

48. Why does a metal feel colder than wood at room temperature, but hotter when both are heated?

Metals have a higher thermal conductivity than wood. At room temperature, they conduct heat away from your hand quickly, feeling colder. When heated, they conduct heat to your hand more rapidly, feeling hotter than wood at the same temperature.

49. How does the concept of absolute zero relate to particle motion?

Absolute zero (0 K or -273.15°C) is the theoretical temperature at which all particle motion ceases. It's the lowest possible temperature, where particles have minimal kinetic energy.

50. Why does blowing on your hand feel cool, but blowing on soup feel hot?

When you blow on your hand, evaporative cooling occurs as moisture on your skin evaporates. When blowing on hot soup, you're moving hot air and steam to your skin, which feels warm. The temperature difference between your breath and the object determines the sensation.

51. How does the zeroth law of thermodynamics relate to temperature?

The zeroth law states that if two objects are in thermal equilibrium with a third object, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other. This law establishes temperature as a fundamental and transitive property, allowing for consistent temperature measurements.

52. How does the concept of latent heat relate to phase changes?

Latent heat is the energy absorbed or released during a phase change without a change in temperature. For example, the latent heat of fusion is the energy required to melt ice into water at 0°C, while the temperature remains constant during the process.

53. Why does the temperature of a pure substance remain constant during a phase change?

During a phase change, the added or removed energy goes into breaking or forming molecular bonds rather than increasing kinetic energy. The temperature remains constant until the phase change is complete.

54. What's the relationship between temperature and the average speed of gas molecules?

The temperature of a gas is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of its molecules. As temperature increases, the average speed of gas molecules increases, resulting in more frequent and energetic collisions.

55. How does the concept of entropy relate to heat and temperature?

Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system. When heat is added to a system, it generally increases entropy by increasing molecular motion and disorder. Higher temperatures typically correspond to higher entropy.

56. Why does hot air rise?

Hot air is less dense than cool air because its molecules have more kinetic energy and are spaced farther apart. The difference in density causes buoyancy, making hot air rise above cooler, denser air.

57. How does the concept of thermal radiation relate to temperature?

All objects above absolute zero emit thermal radiation. The intensity and wavelength of this radiation depend on the object's temperature. Hotter objects emit more intense radiation at shorter wavelengths.