Heat flux
= Heat flux
{wiki=Heat_flux}
Heat flux, often denoted as \\( q \\), is the rate of heat transfer per unit area through a surface. It quantifies the amount of thermal energy that flows through a given surface area in a specific direction, typically expressed in units of watts per square meter (W/m²). Heat flux can occur through conduction, convection, and radiation: 1. **Conduction:** Involves heat transfer through materials due to temperature gradients.