Practice question
Question
Water at 24 degrees Celsius feels much colder than air at the same temperature and our body loses heat many times more quickly while in water than it would in air at the same temperature. The reason(s) for this is/are: A) Water is the better conductor of the two B) Water is much easier to touch and feel than air C) Water is denser than air.
Explanation
Water conducts heat about 23 times faster than air and its higher density provides greater volumetric heat capacity, accelerating heat removal from skin. Feeling wetness does not explain chilling. Thus higher conductivity and density both explain rapid cooling.
Discussion
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