Question

Air is pumped into a car tire, causing its temperature to increase. In another tire, the temperature increase is due to exposure to the sun. Is it possible to tell what caused the temperature increase in each tire? Explain your answer.

a) Yes, because pumping air increases pressure, while sunlight increases volume.

b) Yes, because the source of temperature increase in each tire is distinct.

c) No, because both processes involve an increase in air temperature.

d) No, because tire temperatures are not affected by air pressure or sunlight.

Answer 1

The source of temperature increase in each tire can be determined because the mechanisms behind the temperature increase are different.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is b) Yes, because the source of temperature increase in each tire is distinct.

When air is pumped into a car tire, the temperature increases due to the compression of the gas molecules. This is known as adiabatic compression, where the energy from the work done in compressing the gas increases its temperature.

On the other hand, when a tire is exposed to the sun, the temperature increase is due to the absorption of solar radiation. The energy from the sunlight is converted into heat, causing the temperature of the tire to rise.

Therefore, by understanding the different mechanisms behind each temperature increase, we can determine what caused the temperature increase in each tire.