A form of kinetic energy, due to a confused oscillatory movement of the molecules of a body. Heat is not motion, as a heated body does not change its place; it is not momentum, but it is the energy of motion. If the quantity of molecular motion is doubled the momentum of the molecules is also doubled, but the molecular mechanical energy or heat is quadrupled. As a form of energy it is measured by thermal units. The calorie is the most important, and unfortunately the same term applies to two units, the gram-degree C. and the kilogram-degree C. (See Calorie.) Calories are determined by a calorimeter, q. v. Independent of quantity of heat a body may be hotter or colder. Thermometers are used to determine its temperature. Heat is transmitted by conduction, a body conducting it slowly for some distance through its own substance. Bodies vary greatly in their conductivity for heat. It is also transmitted by convection of gases or liquids, when the heated molecules traveling through the mass impart their heat to other parts. Finally it is transmitted by ether waves with probably the speed of light. This mode of transmission and the phenomena of it were attributed to radiant heat. As a scientific term this is now dropped by many scientists. This practice very properly restricts the term "heat" to kinetic molecular motion. The mechanical equivalent of heat is the number of units of work which the energy of one unit quantity of heat represents. (See Equivalents, Mechanical and Physical.)

I. n. II. v. a.

a.