Does turning a spoon in water raises the temperature?

AI Thread Summary
Stirring a spoon in water does not noticeably raise the temperature due to several factors, including the efficiency of energy transfer and heat loss to the environment. Joule's experiment demonstrated the conversion of mechanical work into heat under controlled conditions, minimizing heat loss and bulk motion. In contrast, the setup with a bowl and spoon may not adequately retain heat, leading to negligible temperature changes. Accurate measurement of temperature changes requires precise instruments and consideration of heat transfer methods, such as conduction through the spoon. Understanding these differences is crucial for analyzing energy transformation in practical scenarios.
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Homework Statement


I read about Joule's experiment proving the transformation of mechanical work into heat. But say I have a bowl with some water, and I start turning a spoon in it very fast, thus doing work - the water won't get hotter! What am I missing?

Homework Equations


conservation of energy

The Attempt at a Solution


I think maybe the work will simply go to movement and not to heat, but then how do you explain Joule's experiment?
 
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How did you determine that your stirred water didn't get hotter? Did you measure the temperature of the water in your bowl with a sufficiently accurate thermometer? What is "sufficient"? How much heat would you have to put into the water in order for you to see a measurable change in the temperature? What's your estimate of the energy you put into the water by stirring? Was the bowl sufficiently insulated to prevent heat escaping before you could see its effects? Did you characterize all the ways heat could move from the bowl to its surroundings? How about heat conducted by the spoon to or from your hand?

In what ways does Joule's apparatus differ from your bowl & spoon experiment? What steps did Joule take to minimize or damp bulk motion of the water? Did you do the same?
 
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