# What is the difference between rate of cooling and rate of heat loss?

I had a perception that rate of cooling and rate of heat loss are synonymous because the rate at which it looses heat indicates the rate at which it is cooling but this question changed my view

There are eight identical solid spheres at same temperature, the rate of cooling of each sphere is x. The rate of heat loss from each sphere is Q. All spheres are combined to form a single sphere at same temperature then for new sphere

Since the answer is different for both the rates there must be a difference in both terminologies which I'm not able to get.

I'm aware of stefan formula which says $$dq/dt = \sigma$$ $$\epsilon$$A$$T^4$$ taking atmospheric temp 0 And one result of newtons formula k=$$\sigma$$ $$\epsilon$$A$$T^3$$ $$/ms$$ Where s is specific heat

• Since the heat loss (in $\text{W}$ or $\text{J/s}$) depends on the surface area here, then yes, the rate of cooling (in $\text{K/s}$) will depend on whether the mass is arranged in a single sphere (with a surface area of $4\pi r^2$) or $n$ multiple spheres (with a surface area of $4\pi n^{2/3} r^2$). – Chemomechanics Dec 29 '20 at 18:06