What is the difference between heat and work?

Question

Accepted Answer

Heat is energy transfer due to temperature difference, while work is energy transfer due to force acting over a distance.

Definition: Heat is the transfer of thermal energy between systems, while work is the energy transfer resulting from a force acting through a distance.
Direction: Heat flows from a hotter object to a cooler one, whereas work can be done in any direction depending on the applied force.
Units: Both heat and work are measured in joules, but they represent different forms of energy transfer.
Examples: Heating a pot of water involves heat transfer, while pushing a car involves doing work on the car.
Thermodynamics: In thermodynamics, heat and work are two distinct ways of transferring energy, each with its own implications for system behavior.

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