What is the equation that describes total heat energy in a substance?

The equation that describes total heat energy in a substance is expressed as Total Heat = Sensible Heat + Latent Heat. This is correct because it acknowledges the two main components of heat energy in a substance.

Sensible heat refers to the heat that causes a change in temperature of a substance without changing its phase, which is the heat we can feel and measure with a thermometer. On the other hand, latent heat refers to the heat absorbed or released during a phase change of a substance, such as melting or boiling, without a temperature change occurring.

By combining both sensible and latent heat, you arrive at the total heat energy of the substance. This holistic view is essential in thermodynamics and helps in understanding processes such as refrigeration and heating systems, where both temperature change and phase change are relevant.

The other options either attempt to combine these quantities in an incorrect way or misinterpret their relationship, failing to reflect how heat energy functions in substances. The accurate summation provided in the correct answer is foundational in understanding heat transfer in various applications, especially in air conditioning and refrigeration systems.