Module No.

HEAT ELEMENTS

2nd Semester 2024-25

Ruel S. Encela
Assistant Professor III
 CHAPTER 1

HEAT ELEMENTS
EELEMENTSELEMENTSRS
Overview
This module presents the fundamental concepts of heat as an
element which are essential in understanding the nature of fire.
Heat elements are materials or devices converting electrical
energy into heat, serving various industrial, commercial, and residential
applications. These elements, also known as heating elements or
thermal elements, utilize resistance, thermoelectricity, radiation or
induction to generate heat.
Understanding heat elements is crucial for designing efficient
heating systems, ensuring safety and optimizing energy consumption.
Their applications extend to automaotive, aerospace, medical devices
and industrial processes, highlighting their significance in modern
technology.

Learning outcomes:
At the end of the chapter, you can:
1. distinguish between heat and temperature concepts;
2. explain temperature scales by describing Celsius, Fahrenheit, and
Kelvin scales;
3. compute the given temperature into 0F, 0C, and K;
4. identify heat production methods;
5. describe heat transfer mechanisms;
6. explain conduction, convection, radiation, and latent heat transfer;
and
7. explain oxygen’s function as an oxidizing agent in combustion.

SPECIFIC TOPICS
a. Heat
b. Temperature Scales
c. Heat Production
d. Heat Transfer

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 e. Oxygen (Oxidizng Agent)

Time Allotment (1 1/2 hours per session)

C. Pre-test:
1. What Do You Know About
Heat as an Element?

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HEAT ELEMENTS

HEAT
Heat is described as a condition of “matter in motion” caused by the
movement of molecules. All matter contains some heat, regardless of how
low the temperature because molecules are constantly moving. When a
body of matter is heated, the speed of molecules increases. Anything that
sets the molecules of a material in faster motion produces heat in that
material. Heat is an essential element in converting fuel to its gaseous
state.
Heat is the energy possessed by a material or substance due to
molecular activity.
In physics, heat is the transfer of energy from one part of a substance
to another or one body to another by a difference in temperature. Heat is
energy in transit; it always flows from a substance at a higher
temperature, raising the temperature of the latter and lowering that of
the former substance, provided the volume of the bodies remains
constant.
Heat is thermal energy in motion that travels from a hot to a cold
region. Thermal energy is a property of matter directly associated with
the concept of temperature.

Heat and Temperature

 Heat should not be confused with temperature, which is the
measurement of the relative amount of heat energy contained
within a given substance.
 Temperature is an intensity measurement, with units in degrees
in Celsius (centigrade), Fahrenheit, or Kelvin scales.
 Heat is the measurement of quantity and is given in British
thermal units (Btu).
 Although it is very easy to compare the relative temperatures of
two substances by the sense of touch, it is impossible to
evaluate the absolute magnitude of the temperature by
subjective reactions. Adding heat to a substance, however, not
only raises its temperature, causing it to impart a more acute
sensation of warmth, but also produces alterations in several
physical properties, which may be measured with precision.

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Specific Heat
The heat capacity or the measure of the amount of heat required
raising the temperature of a unit mass of a substance one- degree. If the
heating process occurs while the substance is maintained at a constant
volume or is subjected to a constant pressure the measure is referred to
as a specific heat at constant volume.

Latent Heat
A number of physical changes are associated with the change of
temperature of a substance. Almost all substance expand in volume when
heated and contract when cooled. The behavior of water between O 0C
and 40C (32 and 390F). constitutes an important exemption to this rule.
The phase of a substance refers to its occurenec as solid, liquid, or
gas, and phase changes in pure substances occur at definite
temperatures and pressures.
 Sublimation – the process of changing from solid to gas.
 Melting – the process of changing from solid to liquid.
 Vaporization – the process of changing from liquid to vapor.
If the pressure is constant, the process occurs at constant
temperature. The amount of heat to produce a change of phase is
called LATENT HEAT.

TEMPERATURE SCALES
5 different temperature scales
1. Celsius – it has a freezing point of O0C and a boiling point of 100 0C . It
is widely used through out the world, particularly for scientific works
2. Fahrenheit – it is used mostly in English – speaking countries for
purposes other than scientific works and based on the mercury
thermometer. In this scale, the freezing point of water is 132 0F and the
boiling point is 212 0F.

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3. Kelvin or Absolute – It is the most commonly used thermodynamic
temperature scale. Zero is defined as absolute zero of temperature than
is -273.15 0F, or -459.67 0F.
4. Rankine – is another temperature scale employing absolute sero as its
lowest point in which each degree of temperature is equivalent to one
degree on the Fahrenhiet scale. The freezing point of water under this
scale is 492 0R and the boiling point 6720R.
5. International temperature Scale
In 1933, scientist of 31 nations adopted a new international
temperature scale with additional fixed temperature points, based on
the kelvin scale and thermodynamic principle.

SOURCES OF HEAT ENERGY

FIVE (5) general categories of heat energy
1. Chemical Heat Energy
These are chemically produced heat as the result of rapid
oxidation. The speed of the oxidation reaction is an important factor, rust
is also the product of oxidation, but the oxidation is very low. This source
of heat is generated as a result of some type of chemical reaction.
TYPES OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS THAT RESULT IN HEAT
PRODUCTION
a. Heat of Combustion
It is the amount of heat released during the complete oxidation
where the organic fuel is converted to water and carbon dioxide.
b. Spontaneous heating
It is the process of increasing in temperature of a material as a
result of slow oxidation, that is, without drawing heat from its
surroundings, until the ignition temperature results in combustion.
c. Heat of decomposition
It is the heat produced by the decomposition of compounds
requiring the addition of heat for their formation.
d. Heat of solution
It is the heat released by the solution of matter in a liquid. Some
acids, when dissolved in water, can produce violent reactions, spewing
(emitting) hot water and acid with explosive force.
2. Mechanical Heat Energy
Mechanical heat is the product of friction. Our ancestors rubbed
sticks together to generate heat to start a fire. Internal metal

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components of machinery can overheat, due to lubricant break or ball-
bearing failures, and cause ignition of available combustibles.
Examples of mechanical heat energy
a. Frictional heat
It results when mechanical energy is used to overcome the
resistance to motion when two solids are rubbed together.
b. Overheating of machinery
It may cause tire from the heat accumulated from the rolling,
sliding or friction in machinery or between two hard surfaces at
least one of which is metal.

c. Heat of compression
It refers to the heat that is released when gas is compressed.

3. Electrical Heat Energy

Electrical heat is the product by arcing, shorting or another
electrical malfunction. Poor wire connections, too much resistance, a
loose ground, and too much current flowing through an improperly sized
wire are other sources of electrical heat.

Examples:

a. Resistant Heating
This refers to the heat generated by passing an electrical
current through a conductor such as a wire or an appliance. Resistant
heating is increased if the wire is not large enough in diameter for the
amount of current. Fire is caused when a simple extension cord is
overloaded with too many appliances plugged into it.

b. Leakage Current Heating

It occurs when a wire is not properly insulated well enough
to contain all the current. Some current leaks out into the surrounding
material such as inside the wall of a structure. This current causes heat
and can cause fire.

c. Heat from Arcing

A type of electrical heating that occurs when the current
flow is interrupted. Interruption may be from an open switch or a
loose connection. Arc temperatures are extremely high and may
even melt the conductor.

d. Inductive Heating
Whenever atoms are subjected to electric potential
gradients from external sources, the arrangement of the atoms (or

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 molecules of several atoms) is distorted with a tendency for
electrons to move in the opposite direction.

e. Static Electricity
It is the build-up of positive charge on one surface and
negative charge on another surface. The charges are naturally
attracted to each other and seek to become evenly charged again.

4. Nuclear Heat Energy

Nuclear energy is the product of the splitting or fusing of
atomic particles (fission or fusion, respectively). The tremendous
heat energy in a nuclear power plant produces steam to turn steam
turbines. When more heat is produced than is lost (transferred),
there is a positive heat balance. When more heat is lost than is
produced, there is a negative heat balance.

a. Nuclear Fission
It occurs when a subatomic particle called neutron
bombards an appropriate type of nucleus. The nucleus then splits
into two lighter nuclei and at the same time releases a tremendous
amount of energy in the form of kinetic energy of the fission
fragments.

b. Nuclear Fusion
It includes all nuclear reactions in which two lighter nuclei
combine to form a heavier nucleus with the emission of other
particles or gamma rays.

5. Solar Heat Energy

This refers to energy transmitted from the sun in the form
of electromagnetic radiation.

HEAT TRANSFER
Heat can travel throughout a building by one or more of the
three methods.

1. Conduction
It is the heat transfer that occurs in solids in which it
transfers from molecules to molecules.

This type of heat transfer happens by direct contact or

through a conductor.

Example: If you touch a hot stove, the pain you feel is a first result
of conducted heat passing from the stove directly to your hand. In
a structural fire, superheated pipes, steel girders, and other
structural members such as walls and floors may conduct enough
heat to initiate fires in other areas of the structures.

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Illustration:

Clemente is making soup. She is using a silver spoon to stir

the mixture. The longer she sits and stirs the hotter her spoon
becomes. Because Clemente was in Mrs. Stinsons science classes,
she knows that this is not only because silver is a good conductor
of heat, but also because the heat is being conducted from the hot
area of the soup to the cold area of spoon. In order not to get
burned Clemente switches to a wooden spoon, which is a poor
conductor of heat.

Poor conductors are called insulators, since heat flows

through them slowly. This is why houses that are insulated stay
warmer in the winter. The heat is trying to pass through the walls
to the lower temperatures outside, but because the materials in the
walls are insulators, the rate of conduction is not fast.

2. Radiation
This is the process of heat transfer that occurs in vacuum
(place – liquid and gases, in which by means of infrared
radiation, a form of electromagnetic wave. Electromagnetic
waves do not need any material medium for their propagation.
Radiated heat moves in wave and rays much like sunlight.
Radiated heat travels the speed, as does visible light: 186, 000
miles per second.

3. Convection
This is the transfer of heat occurs in fluid – liquid and gases,
in which it transfers from molecules to molecules.
This type of heat transfer through the movement of hot gases
or liquids and the main responsible for the spread of fire in
buildings and other information Heat transfer in convection is
cheaply responsible for the spread of fire in the structure. The
super-heated gases evolved from a fire are lighter than air and
consequently rise.
In large fires, the high fireball that accompanies the
incident is referred to as a firestorm and is an example of
convected heat.

Conduction requires physical contact between bodies

exchanging heat; radiation does not require contact on the
pressure of any matter between the bodies. Convection occurs
when a liquid or gas is in contact with a solid body in a different
temperature and always accompanied by the motion of the
liquid or gas.

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 Sample of conduction, convection and radiation

OXYGEN (Oxidizing Agent)

 Oxygen defined as colorless, odorless, tasteless, gaseous chemical
element, the most abundant of all elements.
 It occurs free in the atmosphere, forming one fifth of its volume,
and in combination in water, sandstone, limestone, etc.;
 It is very active, being able to combine withnearly all other
elements, and is essential to life processes and to combustion.
 The most common oxidizing agent is oxygen present in air. Air is
composes of 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen, and 1% inert gas
(principally argon).
Take note: 21% normal oxygen is needed to produce fire in the
presence of fuel and heat. 12% oxygen is insufficient to produce fire,
14-15% oxygen can support flash point, and 16-21% oxygen can
support.

ACTIVITIES/EXERCISES ACTIVITY
In a tabular arrangement, list the types of sources of heat, their
definitions, and pictures.

SOURCES OF HEAT DEFINITION PICTURES

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ACTIVITY 2:

On the table below, list down the ways how to transfer heat.
HEAT TRANSFER DESCRIPTION PICTURE

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1.

2.

3.

ACTIVITY 3:

Discuss oxygen’s function as an oxidizing agent in combustion.

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E. ACTIVITIES/ EXERCISES

ACTIVITY 1- SEARCH FOR THE WORDS GIVEN BY THE CLUES

BELOW.

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 Ten (10) words about heat as elements run horizontally, vertically, and
diagonally.

D C O N D U C T I O N S R G D D H C

B C W E F H G J K L P O C B V M B O

Z I D F W S D X T W H Z W Y S D E N

X B O S X D T E M P E R A T U R E V

E N F C N W B G D F B C T T U G W E

R M D W H E V D G C A D R S I J E C

E K U D M E F K J V G S D I H E A T

F J C J L F M I U B H G M L K C C I

S B L O Y R I K G O N H E O L D A O

N N O P M P L S V P H J H K R P V N

A Y M M O P U O H I M S S N I O G C

R U L N I T R B U D R Z O L J L F H

T O O B U T T E G G H I A T E N T E

T P K G U G R M S F T C Y C N C U M

A L L I N O R G A A I C O I G H Y I

E K K C H E M I I T G Y P S H U R S

H S F F U G W D K N V A L L Y Y H T

C A R D T Q A R M B N N S R R G S A

E L E C T R I C A L A F P D D E R Y

1. This term refers to the transfer of heat by molecular activity within

a material or medium usually solid.
2. What do you call a transfer of heat through a circulating medium,
usually air or liquid?
3. This refers to the product of arcing, shorting, or other electrical
malfunction.
4. When a gas is compressed, its molecular activity is greatly
increased producing heat is called _____.
5. What do you call the amount of heat to produce a change of phase?

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6. What do you call the heat capacity or the measure of the amount of
heat required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a
substance one degree?
7. This term refers to the energy possessed by a material or substance
due to molecular activity.
8. This term refers to the measurement of the degree of thermal
agitation of molecules; the hotness or coldness of something.
9. This term does not require contact or the presence of any matter
between the bodies.
10. What do you call the exchange of thermal energy between
systems or objects at different temperatures?

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 References:
“Tell Me What, Where, When, Why and How?

Bustria, Leo M. (2016). Fire Behavior and Arson Investigation. First

edition. Philippine Copyright. Wiseman’s Books Trading, Inc.

De Joras, F.M. The Fire Code of the Philippines. Manila, Philippines: Fire
Safety Organization, Inc. 1972

Montano, Marcelo L. (2018). Fire Technology and Arson Investigation.

Mindshapers Co., Inc.

Osal, Virgil B. et.al. (2020). Fire Technology and Arson Investigation.

2020 edition. Philippine Copyright. Wiseman’s Books Trading, Inc.

Villaluz, Joner C. & Alocelja, Rodolfo B. (2015). Fire Investigation and

Fire Technology. An Instructional Material For Criminology Students.
Wiseman’s Books Trading Inc.

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RUBRIC SCORING FOR PRE-TEST AND POST-TEST DISCUSSIONS
(ESSAY WRITING)

4 3 2 1
CRITERIA (EXPER (ACCOMPLISH (CAPABL (BEGINNE
T) ED) E) R)

Content Content is good Limited Content

1. CONTENT is good and some content and
and occasional and grammars
grammar errors. frequent are errors.
is errors.
correct.
Virtually Few spellings A number So many
no and of spellings,
2. spelling, punctuations, spelling, punctuation
GRAMM punctuati errors, minor punctuat and
A R, o n or grammatical io n or grammatica
USAGE grammati errors. grammatic l errors that
AND c al al errors. it interferes
MECHANI errors. with the
CS meaning
3. QUALITY Very Somewhat Gives Gives no
OF informati informative and some new new
WRITING v e and organized informatio information
well ns but and very
organized poorly poorly
organized. organized.

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Congratulations for completing this
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Vision 2020

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development of West Philippines and beyond.

Mission
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and sustainable development through relevant
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