Heat
Engineering definition
A measurable quantity of thermal energy. Like work, heat is measured in joules.
Medical definition
The sensation of warmth. May refer to the sensation a patient feels or to a therapeutic intervention.
Confusion
Engineers may be unprepared for the nonspecific measure of heat common in the medical profession. For example, a doctor may advise treating muscular injuries with heat without specifying the amount in watts per square centimeter (w/cm2).
