What is a heat pack and how does it work?

When chilly winters strike the area and your neighborhood is surrounded by snow, it is evident that you crave some source of heat to keep you warm. While electric heaters do not lag behind in serving that purpose, it is good to have a portable heat source that gives you the much-needed warmth.

Well, yes, I am talking about the heat packs. Heat packs are used mainly by people who suffer constant pain in joints or muscle cramps that take longer to heal on their own. Heat packs are effective in giving the patients a speedy recovery. They are reliable and portable, making them more beneficial than other heat providers.





But the thing is, how are heat packs able to provide you with a sufficient amount of heat, and how does this heat help in reducing the pain and cramps. Well, it is all based on science and chemical reactions. Therefore, further, we will discuss the heat pack chemical reaction and the whole principle and phenomena on which the heat packs work.

Over the years, heat packs are proven to be unmatchable regarding the output and the amount of heat that it acknowledges the people with. Anytime you experience pain in your joints, or you are feeling too cold, and you require a source of warmth, you can rely entirely on the heat packs.

Heat packs are available in the market in small packets and pouches that are not too costly, which indicates that you do not have to worry about spending too much of your money if you buy a heat pack. One heat pack will give you warmth for continuous hours. Hence they hold the value for money.





Well, before boasting much about a heat pack any further, let us find out in detail about what a heat pack is, how a heat pack works, and most importantly, is the heat pack even efficient for you to use or does not hold too much worth. Keep reading to find out the answers to these questions.

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What Is A Heat Pack?

A heat pack is a small and compact pouch that contains a solution whose purpose is to release heat while it remains in contact with certain body parts. Primarily, it is used for relaxing the pain caused by sudden hits or internal injuries that would otherwise take an extended period to get well. You can also take advantage of a heating pad if you feel cramps.

Due to the presence of heat, the nerves relax and soothe. As a result, no more pain is caused to the person. Heat pads are typically used for hands or legs, but you can also place them on your knees or toes. It solely depends on the area wherein you suffer pain, and hence applying a heat pack over there will provide you with utmost relief.

Athletes and sportspersons who have to have an instant warmup and have no particular source of getting heat y majorly on the heat pads. Whenever they travel, they carry heat packs with them. No matter the distance or the place they have to visit, heat packs cause no burden to them. The heat packs are convenient to take along to businesses, and they can be disposed of in no time.

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How Does A Heat Pack Work?

A heat pack works on the principle of transferring chemical energy to heat energy which is tremendously effective in giving relief to patients who suffer from constant pain and a sort of pull in their muscles and joints. Normally, a heat pack is composed of salt and water, which on dissolving with one another, gives out heat. Mainly, the salt that can be found in a heat pack is either calcium chloride or magnesium chloride.

Both these salts, when mixed with water, have a tendency to release excessive heat. The reaction between these salts and water is an exothermic reaction. An exothermic reaction is when heat is transferred outside whenever the reactants react to form a product. A heat pack supplies the heat for nearly 8 to 10 hours before it becomes useless. After that, you can painlessly put it into a bin and get back to work.

Hence, the heat pack operates chemically to result in the transfer of heat. This transfer of heat is also known as “change in enthalpy.” It depends on various factors, such as the mass of the solution, specific heat capacity, and temperature change. The temperature change is measured with the assistance of a calorimeter, and this is how a heat pack works.



Heat Pack Chemical Reaction explained

A regular heat pack has a salt solution dissolved in water. Usually, the salt taken in a heat pack is magnesium chloride or calcium chloride. When the salt is dissolved in water, it either releases out heat, that is the case of the reaction being exothermic, or on the other hand, it can take up heat, thereby the reaction becoming endothermic. This is the basic phenomenon on which a heat pack functions.

The heat transfer from the heat pack to your body part is known as a “change in enthalpy.” It is typically denoted as (qrxn). There are certain factors on which the value of change in enthalpy depends. These factors are discussed below-

Mass of the Solution
The change in heat or the heat transfer depends directly on the mass of the solution. As it is evident that different chemical solutions have different masses, therefore more the mass of the solution, the more will be the change in enthalpy, and accordingly, the more will be the heat transfer. Similarly, the lower the mass of the solution, the lower will be the heat transfer or minor change in enthalpy.

Change in Temperature
In the chemical reaction involved in heat packs, ΔΤ denotes temperature change. Temperature change is the difference between the final temperature of the solution and its initial temperature by keeping other factors such as pressure and atmospheric temperature constant. The temperature change is calculated with the help of a calorimeter. It is represented as ΔΤ= Τfinal — Τinitial. Herein, the more the value of the temperature change, the more will be the heat transfer or change in enthalpy and vice versa.

Specific Heat Capacity
The specific heat capacity is a constant value for different compounds. For instance, the specific heat capacity for water is 4.186 J / (° C × g). The specific heat capacity of a body is defined as the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of a substance by 1 degree Celsius. The change in enthalpy also depends on the specific heat capacity. It is directly proportional to it. The more the specific heat capacity, the more will be the heat transfer or the change in enthalpy.

Chemically, the reaction that is used in the principle of heat packs is given as,
qrxn= – (m × c × ΔΤ)

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What Are The Uses Of Heat Packs?

Heat packs are proven to be most effective and beneficial for old-aged people or those who suffer from continuous pain at certain joints of their body or cramps in their muscles. It is for this reason that the heat emitted by the heat packs soothes the pain and relaxes the nerves. This way, the heat transferred from the heat packs to the body part calms the nerves and it in fact helps in a speedy recovery.

Moreover, heat packs are in high demand by athletes. Whenever they need heat or warmth instantly and nothing else can be arranged, typically in winters, heat packs are brought into use. They can easily be carried to places, and it is nearly painless to dispose of them. Hence, heat packs are tremendously efficient in their functioning, and they become great assistance for you.


Are Heat Packs Effective?

Heat Packs set themselves apart from other heat sources because they are easy to carry and can be conveniently disposed of. Wherever you have to go or whenever you travel in winter when it’s cold outside, you can always keep a heat pack ready in your bag and use it effectively. They are cost-effective and hold value for money as well.

Never will it be the case for you to face any kinds of trouble due to heat packs. On the contrary, heat packs will always be of great help to you. In times of need, you can surely put your trust in the heat packs. They are made to feel relaxed and comfortable. All in all, I would suggest you have some packs of heat pads with you always.

CONCLUSION
Science and technology have led ahead in almost every field in today’s world. One such great invention is heat packs. Now that you have understood the chemical principles and functioning of a heat pack, you can conveniently buy one from your nearby store or even from online sites. Heat packs are beneficial in winters, especially when you have to make an instant trip to a far away place. Also, frequently, you can use a heat pack to calm the pain and feel relaxed. It helps in recovering from muscle and joint pain easily and quickly.

Being compact, lightweight, and painless to carry, most people have started using heat packs whenever they feel pain or stretch at some parts of their body. Heat packs also eliminate the need of having to visit a doctor over and over again for painful experiences. At that time, you can use a heat pack, and you will definitely get eight to ten hours of complete relaxation. It would not only provide you comfort but will also ensure that you have a quick and speedy recovery.