What does sensible heat cause?

Sensible heat is defined as the heat energy that causes a change in temperature of a substance without changing its phase. When sensible heat is added to a substance, its temperature increases, which is measurable with a thermometer. This is in contrast to latent heat, which is associated with changes in the state of the substance, such as the transition from liquid to gas.

In practical terms, when sensible heat is applied, the molecules within the substance gain kinetic energy, leading to an increase in temperature. This principle is fundamental in thermodynamics and can be observed in many real-world scenarios, such as heating water on a stove, where the water temperature rises until it reaches its boiling point.

The other choices represent different concepts of heat transfer or thermodynamic properties. A change of state involves latent heat rather than sensible heat. A thermometer can measure the temperature changes caused by the addition of sensible heat, and while specific conditions may cause changes in pressure, sensible heat itself does not directly result in a rise in pressure without considering volume constraints.