Why Does Water Feel Colder than Air at the Same Temperature?
At 80 degrees Fahrenheit, a pool or lake can feel shockingly cold, while air at the same temperature feels pleasantly warm. This is a common phenomenon that can be explained by the different ways in which water and air transfer heat to and from the body.
Thermal Conductivity
Thermal conductivity measures the rate at which heat flows through a material. Water has a thermal conductivity of 0.56 W/mK, while air has a thermal conductivity of 0.024 W/mK. This means that water can transfer heat 23 times faster than air.
Specific Heat Capacity
The specific heat capacity of a substance is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one gram of that substance by one degree Celsius. Water has a specific heat capacity of 4.18 J/g°C, while air has a specific heat capacity of 1.00 J/g°C. This means that it takes more heat to raise the temperature of water than it does to raise the temperature of air.
Heat Transfer
When you enter a pool or lake at 80 degrees, your body quickly loses heat to the water because water has a higher thermal conductivity and a higher specific heat capacity than air. This rapid heat loss can make the water feel cold, even though the air temperature is the same.
In contrast, when you stand in air at 80 degrees, your body loses heat more slowly because air has a lower thermal conductivity and a lower specific heat capacity than water. This slower heat loss makes the air feel warm, even though the temperature is the same as the water.
Related Questions
- Why does water feel colder than air at the same temperature?
- What role does thermal conductivity play in heat transfer?
- How does specific heat capacity affect how we perceive temperature?
- What are some factors that can affect the perceived coldness of water?
- Why does air conditioning feel cold, even though it is not always at a low temperature?
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