Free · Physics models
Sensible Heat and Ideal Heat-Transfer Rates
Calculate sensible energy, conduction energy or convection and radiation rates using simple ideal models.
- Formula & worked example
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Calculator inputs
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How to use this calculator
- Enter the known values in the units shown. Results update as you type.
- Where results are editable, change one to solve backwards. Lock a value to hold it fixed.
- Use the worked example to check the method. Reset restores the starting fields.
Private by default
Inputs and results stay in this browser tab. Bookify does not upload or store the values you enter.
Formula and method
heat basic = 20000. This worked example uses the displayed units and declared assumptions.
heat_basic = specific_heat * mass * (Temperature2_basic-Temperature1_basic); heat_conduction = conductivity * area * ((Temperature2_conduction-Temperature1_conduction)/thickness) * time; heat_convection = coefficient_convection * area_convection * (Temperature2_convection-Temperature1_convection); heat_radiation = 5.670367 * 10^(-8) * emissivity * area_radiation * ((Temperature2_radiation)^(4)-(Temperature1_radiation^(4)))
Worked example
Enter these known values and leave the other values blank.
- I want to calculate
- 0
- Mass (M)
- 2 kg
- Specific heat (C)
- 1000 J/(kg·K)
- Initial temperature (T1)
- 20 °C
- Final temperature (T2)
- 30 °C
- Heat transfer (Q)
- 20000 J
Assumptions and limitations
- Sensible heat is mcΔT in joules. Conduction includes elapsed time and gives energy; convection and radiation give power. Radiation uses Kelvin internally and a retained historical 5.670367e−8 constant. Uniform properties and the stated geometry are assumed.
- Clear an unknown to solve a supported inverse; keep known values fixed with locks. Singular or underdetermined inverses may remain incomplete.
Common questions
What assumptions apply?
Sensible heat is mcΔT in joules. Conduction includes elapsed time and gives energy; convection and radiation give power. Radiation uses Kelvin internally and a retained historical 5.670367e−8 constant. Uniform properties and the stated geometry are assumed.
Which unknowns can I solve?
Editable controls preserve the supported captured inverse branches. Clear the desired unknown and provide enough independent known quantities; singular or underdetermined inverses may remain incomplete.
References
For kg mass and J/(kg K) heat capacity, sensible heat is mcΔT in joules; remove the captured extra division by 1000. Other conduction, convection and radiation branches remain. Specific heat must be positive. Thermal conductivity must be positive. Convection coefficient must be positive.