Temperatures in the upper atmosphere (thermosphere) reach 1500C, yet it does not produce enough heat to burn you. Explain why. (refer to the equation heat gained by water= mass of water x specific heat of water x change in temperature)

Question

wolfe8 · Answer

Can you relate this to our oceans?

anonymous · Answer

i dont think so.

anonymous · Answer

we had a lab about specific heat and this was one of the questions

wolfe8 · Answer

Ok I'll try to walk you through it. First, what is the specific heat capacity of water?

anonymous · Answer

4.184 J/g C

wolfe8 · Answer

That value means that it will take 4.184 J of energy to raise 1 g of water by 1 degree Celsius. Now, using E=mc*theta and estimating(or find the exact) mass of water on earth, you can find the change in temperature theta.

anonymous · Answer

ahhh, ya. We're not working with e=mc*theta. I dont even really know what theta is. And i'm not trying to find the heat, I'm just trying to understand why even though the atmosphere can reach 1500C, it can't burn you

wolfe8 · Answer

Oh theta is just the change in temperature. It's the same as the formula you put in your question. Well basically in the end, most of the heat is absorbed by the sea.

aaronq · Answer

when i saw "E=mc*theta" at first i thought you mean $E=mc^2$, then i realized it was the calorimetry equation. lol you should avoid using E for heat or enthalpy, it creates confusion.

wolfe8 · Answer

Woops haha. I did this topic about 5 years ago so I forgot what it was actually called. Is the symbol Q?

anonymous · Answer

ya i think it is q, but thats very interesting. i didn't know that. Thank you

wolfe8 · Answer

Alright then. You're welcome.