Heating Problem
Classical Mechanics
Level
3
Consider two identical iron spheres, one of which lies on a thermally insulating plate, whilst the other hangs from an insulating thread. Equal amounts of heat are given to the two spheres. Which will have the higher temperature?
Both of the spheres will have the same temperature
Nothing can be concluded
The sphere kept on the plate
The sphere hanged from the thread
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1 solution
Here, in both the cases there will be thermal expansion which is same for both. In the case of the sphere lying on the plank there is a slight increase in gravitational potential energy as the expanded part is going up which consumes some of the energy given through heat. But, in the case of the sphere hanging from thread there is a slight decrease in gravitational potential energy as the expanded part is coming down and hence this energy is converted into heat energy thereby increasing its temperature!