Question

your feet are cold when you go to bed and you want something to warm up. would you prefer to have a bottle filled with hot water or one filled with equal mass of aluminium block at the same temperature as the water?

Answer 1

water

Answer 2

can you explain??

Answer 3

Aluminum and water have a different property known as thermal conductivity which reflects the materials ability to transfer heat. Aluminum has a high thermal conductivity, so it will more quickly lose its heat. Water has a low thermal conductivity so it will longer retain its heat, thus making your feet 'feel' warmer longer.

Another way of viewing this decision in terms of thermal conductivity is supposing that both materials have the same amount of thermal energy stored in them, would you rather release all of it quickly onto your feet (aluminum) which could possibly burn you, or a nice slow relaxing release of heat provided by the thermal conductivity of water? I'd avoid the burn and go with water. Hope it helps.

Answer 4

thanks..it really help me!! ^^

Answer 5

thanks..realistic answer!!

Answer 6

@wanny how we can related this question with specific heat capacity?