Heat: It is a form of energy which provides us sensation of warmth (Qualitative definition).

It is the sum of kinetic energy of all molecules of the system (Quantitative definition).
The total amount of heat present in a body cannot be measured but only heat gained or lost by a
body can be measured (amount of flow of heat can be measured). Heat, being a form of energy, is
measured in joule (SI unit) and calorie (CGS unit). Note that 1cal=4.2 J. The science of heat and its
measurement is called Calorimetry.
Heat energy is capable of being transmitted through solids by conduction, through fluids (liquids and
gases) by convection, and through empty space by radiation. The heat energy is always transmitted from a
body at high temperature to one at low temperature in case of conduction and convection. In radiation
mode, transfer of heat takes place from both the bodies towards each other. However, net transfer of heat
is always from high temperature body to low temperature body. The symbol for denoting heat is Q.
Temperature: It is the degree of hotness or coldness of a body (Qualitative definition) and used to predict
the direction of transfer of heat. It is the average kinetic energy of the molecules of the system or physical
body (Quantitative definition). It is measured in kelvin (SI unit).The symbol for denoting temperature is T
or θ.
Note: Celsius (℃), Fahrenheit (℉), Kelvin (K) are some famous (common to all) scales of temperature.
The science of temperature and its measurement is called thermometry.
Difference between Heat and temperature:
Heat Temperature
1. Heat is a cause of rise in temperature. 1. Temperature is the effect of flow of heat.
2. It is the sum of kinetic energies of all molecules 2. It is the average kinetic energy of the molecules
of the system. of the system.
3. Its SI unit is joule (J). 3. Its SI unit is kelvin (K).
4. At thermal equilibrium, bodies in thermal contact 4. At thermal equilibrium, bodies in thermal
may or may not have same quantity of heat. contact attains the same temperature.
5. Heat (similar to work) is a path function and 5. Temperature is a point function and intensive
extensive property of system. property of system.
6. Amount of heat is measured by calorimeter. 6. Temperature is measured by thermometer.
Similarity between Heat and temperature:
1. Both heat and temperature are scalar quantities.
2. Both are measureable, although in different ways. They are also quantifiable.
3. Usually both are interrelated; however, occurrence of one is also possible without affecting the other.
For example, temperature of an object can be varied without transferring heat but by exchanging work
(another form of energy).
Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics: If two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third, then they are
in thermal equilibrium with each other. This is called Zeroth law of thermodynamics; and forms the basis
for the concept of temperature and for the use of thermometers.
The ‘third body’ in practical situation is just thermometer.
Suppose three thermo dynamical systems A, B & C. Let ‘A’ & ‘B’ are
separated from each other by an adiabatic (insulating) wall and a
diathermal (conducting) wall, in practice a thin metal sheet, separates
‘C’ from ‘A’ & ‘B’. If they are left as such for a while, heat transfers
between ‘A’ & ‘C’ and between ‘B’ & ‘C’ till all of them reached in
equilibrium.
Now if adiabatic wall between ‘A’ & ‘B’ is replaced by a diathermal
wall, no heat transfer between ‘A’ & ‘B’ indicating that ‘A’ & ‘B’ are
also in thermal equilibrium.
Thermometry: The science of temperature and its measurement is called thermometry. Thermometer is an
instrument that is used to measure temperature in different units. The requisites of any thermometers are-
construction, calibration, and sensitivity.
1. Construction: For construction of a thermometer we select a thermometric substance, like mercury,
whose physical property (volume) changes with change in temperature.
2. Calibration: The process of providing scale to a newly constructed thermometer is called calibration.
There are two reference temperatures for calibration, and are referred to as the fixed temperatures or fixed
points. There are upper fixed and lower fixed points. The upper fixed point (UFP) is the steam point and is
the temperature at which steam forms from pure water, boiling at standard atmospheric pressure. The lower
fixed point (LFP) is the ice point and is the temperature at which ice melting, (or temperature of a mixture
of ice and water) at normal atmospheric pressure. The distance between UFP & LFP is called fundamental
interval. The interval between LFP & UFP is divided into equal divisions. Each division represents the unit
of temperature. The selection of reference temperatures and fundamental is however quite arbitrary.
3. Sensitivity: The thermometer once constructed and calibrated must be sensitive. It must record even
small change in temperature and it should not absorb large amount of heat for its own heating i.e. it must
record temperature instantly.

Reading  LFP
= constant for all temperature scales.
UFP  LFP
NOTE: For practical purpose K=273+C The temperature on Kelvin scale is always positive and never negative and hence
it is absolute scale. Change in temperature (rise in temperature or fall in temperature) is same for Celsius and Kelvin
scales. Hence unit of change in temperature is ℃ 𝒐𝒓 𝑲.
 Celsius or Centigrade scale: According to this scale the freezing point of water is assigned a value
of zero and boiling point value is 100. It is represented by oC.
 Kelvin scale: According to this scale the freezing point of water is assigned a value of 273 and
boiling point value is 373. It is represented by K.
 Fahrenheit Scale: According to this scale the freezing point of water is assigned a value of 32 and
boiling point value is 212. It is represented by oF.
The relationship between these three scales of temperature measurement is given as:
C − 0 K − 273 F − 32
= =
100 100 180