Metal and wood common temperature for neutral feel

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on determining the common temperature at which both wood and metal feel neutral to the touch. It highlights that this concept relates to thermal equilibrium, where heat transfer from the skin to the objects ceases, resulting in no sensation of hot or cold. The specific heat capacity of materials is mentioned, noting that metal, with its lower capacity, heats up or cools down more quickly than wood. The conclusion reached is that the neutral feel occurs when both materials reach the skin's temperature, eliminating any temperature difference. Understanding this equilibrium is essential for grasping why different materials feel differently at various temperatures.
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Metal and wood common temperature for neutral "feel"

Homework Statement


Taken from the homework: At what common temperature will a block of wood and a block of metal both feel neither hot nor cold to the touch.


Homework Equations


I believe it is just conceptual, so I do not know if one is necessary; though I most certainly could be mistaken.


The Attempt at a Solution


I know that this has to do with specific heat capacity and that metal has a lower one and that it takes less energy to heat or cool metal, and thus can feel hotter or colder depending on the temperature. I know this involves the transfer of energy from the hand to the object, and I believe it has to do with equilibrium. Yet, I am at a loss on where to go next in this question. I am assuming that the answer has to deal with when the two reach a point of equilibrium.
 
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It's more to do with conduction.
Assuming they are both cooler than your body, heat will flow from your body to them - the faster heat flows the colder it seems.
So which one will heat flow to most quickly?
 
Last edited:


mgb_phys said:
So which one will heat flow to most quickly?
Metal.
 


i do not know much about thermodynamics but isn't the feeling of hot and cold due to of heat flowing in or out of your hand because of the temperature difference.Wouldn't this feelings stop at thermal equilibrium which is at the temperature of your skin in this case? Heat capacity usually deals with energy required to raise temperature of a specific material and I don't think it maters in this problem
 


bp_psy said:
Wouldn't this feelings stop at thermal equilibrium which is at the temperature of your skin in this case?
That must be it -- at that temperature no energy would be needed to be transferred to your skin and thus there would be neither hot nor cold feeling. Thanks.
 
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