Which statement best describes 'sensible heat' in relation to superheated steam?

Sensible heat refers to the heat added to a substance that results in a temperature change, without a phase change occurring. In the context of superheated steam, this means the heat added to steam after it has already transitioned from water to steam (the phase change), and as the steam continues to absorb heat, its temperature increases beyond the saturation point.

When discussing superheated steam, the correct statement highlights that heat is applied to the steam, which raises its temperature above that of the saturation temperature corresponding to its pressure. This temperature increase is what distinguishes superheated steam from saturated steam, which is at the boiling point for the existing pressure and cannot hold additional heat without changing phase or temperature.

Understanding sensible heat in this way is crucial, as it applies directly to the performance of steam systems where superheated steam is often utilized for its efficiency in energy transfer and for processes that require a higher temperature than what saturated steam can provide.