# Decrease a substance's temp by stirring

1. Mar 16, 2005

### misskitty

This question is really bugging me.

If water is in a sealed and insulated container and is stirred will the temperature slightly increase, slightly decrease or stay the same? Explain your answer.

I'm really stuck. I was going to say slighty increase, but I'm not sure because can you increase the temperture of something by stirring it? I know you can decrease a substances temperature by stirring. Ahh, help please, I'm really confused.

2. Mar 16, 2005

### FredGarvin

Since the stirring is transferring work to the water, the temperature would increase slightly.

Using the first law of thermodynamics:

$$E_2-E_1 = Q - W$$

Since it is adiabatic, Q=0. Since work is being done on the system, the work would be negative, which makes...

$$E_2-E_1 = 0-(-W)$$

$$E_2-E_1=\Delta KE+\Delta PE+\Delta U = W$$

Assuming there is no change in the kinetic or potential energy of the system, the only change is in internal energy.

3. Mar 16, 2005

### Andrew Mason

This is exactly how Joule discovered that heat was a form of energy. Since, in stirring, one has applies a force over a distance, work is being done. The work adds kinetic energy to the water as evidenced by its motion. However, eventually the water stops moving due to friction, and that kinetic energy is dispersed (into a more random kinetic energy of individual molecules of water) and increases the temperature of the water.

AM

4. Mar 16, 2005

### brewnog

Well, by stirring something, you're putting energy in....

5. Mar 16, 2005

### rdt2

Hot water normally cools by conduction of heat through the container wall and by evaporation of the hottest molecules. Stirring the water encourages evaporation and also brings fresh hot water into contact with the container wall. So it encourages both types of heat loss. However, if the container is completely insulated to prevent conduction loss, and completely sealed to prevent evaporation loss, then the energy put into stirring will cause it to heat slightly.

6. Mar 16, 2005

### misskitty

So why does stirring a hot cup of coffee cool the coffee? Does the heat energy transfer to the spoon?

7. Mar 16, 2005

### Severian596

See rdt2's explanation...the cup of coffee model is not an ideal, closed system. To summarize what rdt2 said, heat is transferred away from the coffee through the mug and into the air. Although stirring adds energy (and heat) to the system, it also encourages the cooling process through the mug and into the air. It encourages a faster LOSS of heat than it causes an INCREASE in heat, so you get a net loss of heat.

8. Mar 16, 2005

### misskitty

Ok. Thanks. That helps...now can someone explain to me why I can do all the really complicated stuff no problem and get it while the rest of my peers have their mouths hanging open out of sheer confusion...yet I can't get something SIMPLE like THIS?

9. Mar 16, 2005

### Severian596

No, I can't really explain that...but take solace knowing that everyone needs a little help now and then.

10. Mar 16, 2005

### misskitty

Thats good to know. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one. Kinda makes me feel a bit stupid when I have to ask for help...: