Sensible heat is defined as heat that does what?

Sensible heat refers to the heat absorbed or released by a substance when it undergoes a change in temperature without a change in its state or phase. When heat is added to a solid, liquid, or gas, and its temperature rises, this increase in temperature is described as sensible heat. Conversely, when heat is removed, it results in a decrease in temperature.

In contrast to latent heat, which involves phase changes (like melting or boiling), sensible heat is strictly about temperature variation of a substance. This understanding is crucial in thermodynamics and engineering, particularly when managing heat transfer processes in stationary steam systems.

The other options represent concepts outside the definition of sensible heat. Changing a substance's state involves latent heat; generating mechanical work involves thermodynamic processes that extend beyond just temperature changes; and converting heat to electricity is a process related to thermoelectric effects, not directly tied to temperature changes in a substance. These distinctions are fundamental in understanding heat transfer and energy management within various systems.