What is sensible heat?

Sensible heat refers to the heat energy that causes a change in the temperature of a substance without altering its state. When a substance absorbs or releases sensible heat, you will notice a change in temperature that can be measured with a thermometer, but its physical state, such as from solid to liquid or liquid to gas, remains unchanged during this process.

For example, heating a pot of water on the stove increases the temperature of the water (sensible heat), but until it reaches the boiling point and starts to turn into steam, it doesn't change state. This distinction is important in thermal energy discussions, especially in contexts involving heating and cooling processes.

The other choices involve concepts such as latent heat, which pertains to heat that causes a change of state, chemical reactions, or heat storage, which do not apply to the definition of sensible heat.