Can water be boiled in a paper cup? No; the paper would burn. No; paper can\'t c

Question

Can water be boiled in a paper cup? No; the paper would burn. No; paper can't conduct enough heat. Yes, when done properly. Yes, but the paper would "boil" too. Why can beach sand be hotter than ocean water in the day and then cooler than the water at night? Sand has a high thermal energy exchange rate. The sand has a low specific heat capacity. The sand absorbs heat from the water. Sunlight warms the sand in the day, and the sand cools at night. How do the oceans affect the Earth's temperatures between day and night? Water absorbs heat, preventing large temperature fluctuations. The oceans create highly variable climates.

Explanation / Answer

1. When paper cup containing water is heated up, all the heat is absorbed by the water in the cup and the temperature of the paper never reaches its ignition temperature. Finally water starts boiling but paper remains unburned.

2. The thermal conductivity and heat capacity of sand are less than those of water, so it does not absorb as much heat, and releases it more quickly.

3. Water absorbs vast amounts of energy from the Sun. Likewise, bodies of water release energy very slowly. For this reason, areas near water are usually more mild. Because of water’s ability to absorb heat, store it and release it later, the oceans of the Earth have an important role in helping to moderate the Earth’s temperature.

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