31.0k views
3 votes
Assuming equal mass, volume, and starting temperature, which animal would cool slowest if it fell into a pool of freezing water?

a) Small mouse
b) Large elephant
c) Medium-sized dog
d) Bird
e) Fish

User Arpwal
by
8.2k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The large elephant would cool the slowest if it fell into a pool of freezing water due to its smaller surface area-to-volume ratio.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assuming equal mass, volume, and starting temperature, the animal that would cool the slowest if it fell into a pool of freezing water would be the large elephant. This is because larger animals have a smaller surface area-to-volume ratio, which means they lose heat at a slower rate compared to smaller animals. The larger size of the elephant allows it to retain more body heat and stay warmer in the freezing water.

User Daniel Egan
by
8.5k points