Thermodynamics

Question : 3 of 10

Marks: +1, -0

Explain why

(a) Two bodies at different temperatures

T_1 \text{ and } T_2

if brought in thermal contact do not necessarily settle to the mean temperature

\frac{T_1 + T_2}{2}.

(b) The coolant in a chemical or a nuclear plant (i.e., the liquid used to prevent the different parts of a plant from getting too hot) should have high specific heat.

(d) The climate of a harbour town is more temperate than that of a town in a desert at the same latitude.

Solution:

(a) In thermal contact, heat flows from the body at higher temperature to the body at lower temperature till temperatures become equal. The final temperature can be the mean temperature

\frac{T_1 + T_2}{2}

only when thermal capacities of the two bodies are equal.

(b) This is because heat absorbed by a substance is directly proportional to the specific heat of the substance.

P \propto T.

Therefore, air pressure inside the tyre increases.

(d) This is because in a harbour town, the relative humidity is more than in a desert town. Hence, the climate of a harbour town is without extremes of hot and cold.

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