Can a Thermos Truly Keep Water Hot Forever?

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SUMMARY

A thermos can keep boiling water hot for 3-4 days, but it cannot maintain that temperature indefinitely. The discussion highlights the first law of thermodynamics, which states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, implying that even in an idealized thermos with perfect insulation, heat would eventually dissipate. Perfectly adiabatic systems do not exist, and heat transfer occurs through conduction, convection, and radiation. The Devar flask minimizes two of these heat transfer methods, but it does not eliminate them entirely.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the first law of thermodynamics
  • Knowledge of heat transfer methods: conduction, convection, and radiation
  • Familiarity with thermodynamic systems and idealizations
  • Basic principles of thermal insulation technologies
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and applications of Devar flasks
  • Study advanced thermodynamics, focusing on adiabatic processes
  • Explore materials used for thermal insulation in modern technology
  • Investigate real-world applications of thermodynamic principles in engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, engineers specializing in thermal systems, and anyone interested in the practical applications of thermodynamics in everyday products.

Edward Wij
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If you keep boling water in thermos It remains hot up to 3-4 days. Let's say you can create a thermo where no heat can escape outside. Does the water remain hot for decades? Or does it get cold even if heat does not escape? And why? What is the corresponding laws of thermodynamics about thermal energy can't be created nor destroyed. And are there no such thermos where no heat can escape?
 
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In an idealized case where the walls of the container are rigid (so no work can be done) and perfect insulators, then the first law of thermodynamics tells us that the temperature would not change. Unfortunately, perfectly adiabatic systems do not exist as far as I know and are useful as simplifying assumptions to do calculations.
 
In other words: there is no such thing as a perfect insulator. Heat can be transferred in three ways, you can't block them all. In Devar flask two of them are minimalized.
 

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