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Can both sensible heat and latent heat transfers be measured with a thermometer?

1) True
2) False

User Santhucool
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Final answer:

Sensible heat can be measured with a thermometer, as it changes the temperature of a substance without a phase change, while latent heat involves phase changes at constant temperature and cannot be detected with a thermometer.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding the question, "Can both sensible heat and latent heat transfers be measured with a thermometer?", the answer would be 2) False. Sensible heat transfer, which affects the temperature of a substance without changing its phase, can be measured with a thermometer. However, latent heat involves a phase change at constant temperature, such as melting or boiling, and during this process, the energy absorbed or released does not change the temperature, hence it cannot be measured by a thermometer.

Sensible heat transfer occurs when there is a difference in temperature between a substance and its surroundings, leading to a change in the substance's temperature that can be detected with a thermometer. On the other hand, latent heat transfer happens during a phase change; this is energy absorbed or released by a substance during a transition from one phase to another, like ice melting into water or water vaporizing into steam. For example, when ice melts, it absorbs latent heat, keeping the water-ice mixture at 0°C until all ice is melted, without showing any temperature change on a thermometer.

Another relevant topic in physics related to heat transfer is thermal equilibrium. When two systems exchange heat energy but exhibit no net change in heat, they are said to be in thermal equilibrium, meaning their temperatures are equal.

User Verne
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