Minnesota Boiler License Practice Exam

In the context of boiler operation, what is sensible heat?

1. Heat that changes a substance's state

2. Heat that can be sensed or measured

3. Heat that is invisible

4. Heat that causes physical change but is not measurable

The correct answer is: Heat that can be sensed or measured

Sensible heat refers to the heat that can be perceived by measuring a change in temperature of a substance without a change in phase. When heat is added or removed, the temperature of the material changes, and this change can be directly sensed or measured through temperature readings. This is a crucial concept in boiler operation, as understanding how sensible heat affects the temperature of the water or steam is important for efficient thermal management and safety. In contrast, other options like changing a substance's state, referring to invisible heat, or causing physical changes without a measurable effect refer to concepts associated with latent heat or other thermal properties, which do not apply to sensible heat. Hence, the key aspect of sensible heat is its measurability through temperature change, making it the correct interpretation in the context of boiler operations.