Hitze

Hitze is the German noun for heat or warmth. In everyday German, it refers to high temperature, the sensation of warmth, or hot weather. The word is used to describe the intensity of warmth as well as natural and built environments, for example a sunny day or a heated room. In some contexts, Hitze can convey a sense of discomfort or danger when temperatures are extreme.

In scientific terms, heat is energy in transit caused by a temperature difference. It is not the same as temperature itself, which is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles. The standard unit of energy transfer is the joule; temperature is measured in degrees Celsius or Kelvin.

Heat can be transferred by conduction, convection, or radiation. The amount of heat transferred depends on properties such as mass, specific heat, and the temperature change, often expressed by the formula Q = m c ΔT for simple cases. Calorimetry is used to determine heat exchange; thermometers measure temperature rather than heat directly. Environmental heat sources include solar radiation, metabolic processes in living organisms, and various industrial or atmospheric processes.

Health and environmental implications: extreme heat affects human health, comfort, and energy demand, and can contribute to heat waves that stress infrastructure and ecosystems. In meteorology and climate science, Hitze remains a central concept when describing weather conditions, energy balance, and the effects of warming on regions, climates, and daily life. The term also appears in cultural and literary contexts to denote intensity or warmth.