A classical mechanics problem by John Lloyd Venancio
Classical Mechanics
Level
1
A book and a metal plate have the same temperature as measured by a modern thermometer. However, asking twenty people which of the two objects feel colder, all of them said the metal plate is much colder than the book. What could be the reason why?
The metal plate is bigger than the book that's why it feels colder than the book
What we feel is the temperature of ourselves when we touch objects
What we feel is actually the amount of heat exiting or entering our hands.
Temperatures is just an illusion
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1 solution
This question has something to do with the conductivity of metal. Metal is a good heat conductor unlike plastics, woods or in this case, book. Ergo, when we touch a metal plate, it will collect heat away from our body at a faster rate compared to a book. So, the third option is the correct answer.