Cold Sweat | Werawera Mātao
Introduction
Abstract
Evaporating liquids remove thermal energy. Sweating uses this physics to cool the body.
Principles Illustrated
Cooling by evaporation is explored by placing a thermometer in paper towels soaked with ethanol and observing the temperature of the thermometer over time.
Moving a molecule from the liquid to the vapour requires energy, which is removed from the thermometer causing it to cool.
Content
Video
English version
Te Reo Māori Version
Instructions
Wrap the thermometer in paper towels. Pour some alcohol on to the paper towels.
Other Information
Safety
Use methylated spirits or ethanol. Remember alcohol and solvents are flammable.
Individual teachers are responsible for safety in their own classes. Even familiar demonstrations should be practised and safety-checked by individual teachers before they are used in a classroom.
Related Resources
Te Whakamātao Mā te Paera (Cooling by Boiling), Hū Mātao (Cold Boil), Pēnā i te Mātao o Tangaroa (Cold as Neptune).
Credits
This teaching resource was developed by the Te Reo Māori Physics Project with support from
- Te Puni Kōkiri
- The MacDiarmid Institute
- Faculty of Science, Victoria University of Wellington
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington
- The New Zealand map shown on the poster frame above is used with permission from www.nz.com.
- The storm image is from NASA , Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech This teaching resource was developed in collaboration with Mabel Stewart, a New Zealand Science, Mathematics and Technology Teacher Fellow, 2008, hosted by Victoria University School of Chemical and Physical Sciences. When she worked on this project, Mabel taught at Bishop Viard College in Porirua, New Zealand.