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Give an example to illustrate why you cannot accurately judge the temperature of an object by how hot or cold it feels to touch.

A) A metal coin left in the sun can feel hotter than a cotton cloth left in the same conditions.
B) A glass of water taken from the refrigerator can feel colder than a plastic bottle under similar conditions.
C) A wooden plank left outside in winter can feel colder than a piece of metal under similar conditions.
D) A ceramic plate taken from the oven can feel hotter than a paper towel under similar conditions.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Using the example that a metal coin in the sun feels hotter than a cotton cloth in the same conditions illustrates that human perception of temperature is affected by an object's thermal conductivity, rather than its actual temperature.

Step-by-step explanation:

It is not always accurate to judge the temperature of an object by how hot or cold it feels to the touch. This can be illustrated by example A, which states: 'A metal coin left in the sun can feel hotter than a cotton cloth left in the same conditions.' Although the metal coin and cotton cloth may be at the same temperature after being exposed to the sun, the metal conducts heat better and thus transfers heat to our skin more quickly, making it feel hotter. This example demonstrates that human perception of temperature is influenced by the thermal conductivity of materials, not just their actual temperature.

Differences in thermal conductivity explain why objects made of different materials can feel differently despite being at the same temperature. For instance, the metal coin, with its higher conductivity, feels hotter because it is more efficient at transferring heat than the cotton cloth. This is a clear example of why we cannot rely solely on touch to determine the temperature of an object.

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