Question

Explain why a brass tumbler feels much colder than a wooden tray on a chilly day.

Answer 1

Hint: Conduction is the method of transfer of heat within the body or from one body to the other due to the transfer of heat. In this method of heat transfer, the bodies must be in contact with each other. So, using this property, we will explain the reason for colder brass tumbler than the wooden tray.

Complete answer:
The metal brass is a good conductor of heat, thus, the transfer of heat takes place at a faster rate, whereas, the wood is a bad conductor of heat, thus, the transfer of heat takes place at a slower rate. When someone touches the metal brass, the heat transfer from the body to the metal takes place at a faster rate and the body feels colder, whereas, when someone touches the wooden tray, the heat transfer from the body to the wood takes place at a slower rate and the body does not feel colder.

Additional Information: The methods of heat transfer are: conduction, convection and the radiation. In the case of conduction, the heat transfer takes place between the bodies in contact. In the case of convection, the heat transfer takes place through liquid and gas. So, the heat transfer takes place through the motion of the matter. In the case of radiation, the electromagnetic waves transfer heat from one place to the other.

Note: There are different methods of heat transfer. So, the method of heat transfer that applies correctly to the given situation should be chosen accordingly. As in this case, the contact between the bodies, that is, between the body and the objects wooden tray and the brass tumbler takes place.