Question

When heat transfers into a system, is the energy stored as heat? Explain briefly.

Short answer

The energy stored during heat can also be different forms of energy rather than heat alone.

Step-by-step solution

Step1:Describe heat

Heat is a form of energy transferred between two bodies whose temperatures are different. When heat is transferred from a hotter body to a colder body, this heat transfer continues until the colder body acquires the same temperature as the hotter body.

Describe what happens when heat is transferred to a system

Thermal energy is the resulting energy during the heat transfer between two bodies. Temperature is the measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a system. So, when a body becomes hot, its kinetic energy increases, and thus its internal energy also increases. This energy is stored in the system. It can be various other forms of energy rather than heat.

Therefore, it is not necessary for energy stored during heat transfer to also become heat.