Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a thermal analysis technique that measures the heat flow into or out of a sample as it is heated, cooled, or held at constant temperature. DSC provides quantitative and qualitative data on physical and chemical changes that involve endothermic or exothermic processes, or changes in heat capacity. A DSC instrument measures the difference in heat flow between the sample and a reference material as both are subjected to a controlled temperature program. This allows the determination of transition temperatures such as melting points, glass transition temperatures, and crystallization temperatures. DSC is commonly used in materials science and polymer chemistry to study phase transitions and thermal stability.