1. What is a BTU to Degrees Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the temperature change in a substance when a certain amount of heat energy is applied, based on the substance's mass and specific heat capacity.

Purpose: It helps engineers, HVAC professionals, and students understand how heat transfer affects temperature in various materials.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \Delta T \) — Temperature change (°F)
• \( Q \) — Heat energy input (BTU)
• \( m \) — Mass of the substance (lb)
• \( c \) — Specific heat capacity (BTU/lb·°F)

Explanation: The heat energy is divided by the product of mass and specific heat capacity to determine the resulting temperature change.

3. Importance of Temperature Change Calculation

Details: Accurate temperature change calculations are crucial for HVAC system design, thermal management, and understanding material properties under heat transfer.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the heat input in BTU, mass in pounds, and specific heat capacity (default 1.0 BTU/lb·°F for water). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is specific heat capacity?
A: It's the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of a substance by 1°F.

Q2: What's the specific heat of common materials?
A: Water = 1.0, Concrete = 0.2, Steel = 0.12, Aluminum = 0.22 BTU/lb·°F.

Q3: Can I use this for cooling calculations?
A: Yes, simply use negative BTU values for heat removal (cooling).

Q4: How do I convert between different units?
A: 1 BTU = 1055 Joules, 1 lb = 0.4536 kg, °F to °C conversion may be needed.

Q5: Does this account for phase changes?
A: No, this calculator assumes no phase change (only temperature change).