What is the term for the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 lb of water by 1ºF?

The term for the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit is known as a BTU, which stands for British Thermal Unit. This unit is specifically designed to measure heat energy and is commonly used in the fields of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), as well as in various engineering applications.

Understanding BTU is essential as it allows professionals to quantify and manage heat energy in a straightforward way. For instance, when designing heating systems, knowing the BTU requirements helps in determining the capacity of heating equipment needed to maintain desired temperature levels in buildings.

While joules and kilojoules are units of energy in the metric system, they are not typically used in the context of heating water specifically in the U.S. The calorie, although a unit of heat, is defined differently and is not the standard unit for measuring heat in relation to water in imperial units. Therefore, BTU is the most appropriate and commonly accepted answer in this context.