What does sensible heat refer to?

Sensible heat is defined as the heat absorbed or given off by a substance as it undergoes a temperature change, without a change in its physical state. This means that when a substance is heated or cooled, the energy being added or removed is associated with a change in temperature but not a transition between states, such as from solid to liquid or liquid to gas.

When heat is added to a substance, it causes its temperature to rise, and this absorbed energy does not convert the substance into another state. Similarly, when the substance loses heat, its temperature decreases without undergoing a change in physical state. This characteristic distinguishes sensible heat from latent heat, which is involved in phase changes.

The other options refer to different concepts related to heat. The first choice describes latent heat, which specifically relates to the heat required for a substance to change states without a change in temperature. The second choice focuses on the heat contained within solid materials but does not capture the essence of how sensible heat operates. Lastly, the fourth option deals with heat loss due to evaporation, a process that involves latent heat as the liquid transitions to gas. Thus, the correct definition of sensible heat pertains specifically to temperature changes without phase changes.