Thermal Conductivity of Liquids
Most recent answer: 10/20/2014
Q:
Which one "feels" hotter: water or oil at the same temperatures? (i.e. if I put my hand in a bowl of water at 80C and in a bowl of oil at 80C, in which one would I expect more pain...) Thanks
- Mauro (age 34)
Brusque, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Mauro (age 34)
Brusque, Santa Catarina, Brazil
A:
The key difference would be how rapidly heat flows from the liquid into your hand. That depends mainly on the thermal conductivity of the liquid. According to a standard source, , water has a higher thermal conductivity than typical oils. So putting your hand in the water is an even worse idea than putting your hand in the oil.
Mike W.
(published on 10/20/2014)