8,000 BTU represents the amount of heat that can be absorbed by which quantity of water?

8,000 BTU represents the amount of heat that can be absorbed by which quantity of water?

• A. Energy content of a gallon of fuel.
• B. Amount of heat that can be absorbed by 1 gallon of water.
• C. Rate of heat transfer per minute.
• D. Heat required to raise 1 gallon of water by 1 degree.

Answer: (B)

BTU is a unit of heat energy. It is defined as the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. A gallon of water weighs about 8.34 pounds, so the heat required to raise 1 gallon by 1°F is roughly 8.34 BTU. Therefore, 8,000 BTU represents the energy that could be absorbed by about one gallon of water. It’s not the rate of heat transfer, nor the energy content of a fuel per gallon, and it’s not the amount needed to raise 1 gallon by just 1°F (that would be about 8.34 BTU).

BTU is a unit of heat energy. It is defined as the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. A gallon of water weighs about 8.34 pounds, so the heat required to raise 1 gallon by 1°F is roughly 8.34 BTU. Therefore, 8,000 BTU represents the energy that could be absorbed by about one gallon of water. It’s not the rate of heat transfer, nor the energy content of a fuel per gallon, and it’s not the amount needed to raise 1 gallon by just 1°F (that would be about 8.34 BTU).