476 views
5 votes
A person with a body temperature of 37°C holds an ice cube with a temperature of 0°C in a room where the air temperature is 20°C. The direction of

heat flow is

from the ice to the person and air, and from the air to the person
from the ice to the person, only.
from the person to the ice and air, and from the air to the ice.
from the person to the ice, only.

1 Answer

1 vote

Answer:

The correct answer is the third option: from the person to the ice and air, and from the air to the ice.

Step-by-step explanation:

The problem you've presented involves understanding the direction of heat flow between objects of different temperatures. To solve this, we will consider the basic principles of thermodynamics, particularly the concept that heat flows from a hotter object to a colder one until thermal equilibrium is reached.


\hrulefill

Given the scenario:

  • The person has a body temperature of 37°C.
  • The ice cube has a temperature of 0°C.
  • The room air temperature is 20°C.

Now, let's analyze each answer choice:

  • From the ice to the person and air, and from the air to the person: This is not possible because heat flow occurs from a warmer body to a colder one. Since the ice (0°C) is colder than both the person (37°C) and the air (20°C), heat cannot flow from the ice to either the person or the air.

  • From the ice to the person, only: This option is also incorrect for the same reason as above. The ice, being the coldest object, cannot transfer heat to the person.

  • From the person to the ice and air, and from the air to the ice: This is the correct direction of heat flow. The person, having the highest temperature (37°C), will transfer heat to both the ice (0°C) and the air (20°C). Additionally, since the air is warmer than the ice, heat will also flow from the air to the ice until equilibrium is reached.

  • From the person to the ice, only: This is partially correct but incomplete. While the person will indeed transfer heat to the ice, this option ignores the heat exchange between the air and the ice.

Therefore, the correct answer is: from the person to the ice and air, and from the air to the ice.

User Violeta Georgieva
by
7.3k points