Plus: Cold Flow: Is it None of the Above?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a chemistry exam question regarding the concept of "cold flow" and its implications in thermodynamics. Participants explore the definitions and interpretations of "cold" in relation to heat, questioning whether it can be considered to have a flow and how this relates to the phrasing of the exam question.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that "cold" is merely a measure of heat with less energy, arguing that it is an adjective rather than a noun, and thus has no flow.
  • Another participant agrees with the first viewpoint, indicating that it seems to be the best option based on the reasoning provided.
  • A third participant points out the ambiguity in the question due to non-standard terminology, suggesting that guessing the intent behind the question is problematic.
  • This participant also proposes that while "cold" does not flow according to current definitions, it could theoretically be defined in a new way, although such a definition does not exist in standard physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the interpretation that "cold" does not flow, but there is no consensus on how the professor might view the question or its phrasing, leaving the discussion unresolved regarding the exam context.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the limitations of the question's wording and the potential for misinterpretation due to non-standard scientific terminology. There is also an acknowledgment of the subjective nature of the professor's grading criteria.

MedLine
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Hey guys, I have a question about one of the problems on my practice chem exam for which the prof. does not give the answers to. This guy also really likes to use trick questions and so I am not sure if this is one or not. I know it is an easy one but I don't want this to be a trick question and fall for it on the test.

Homework Statement



Cold flows A.) opposite of heat B.) same direction as heat C.) across thermodynamic boundaries D.) until meeting a boundary E.) None of the above F.) All of the above


The Attempt at a Solution



I believe it is none of the above because cold is simply a measure of heat that has less energy than what it is being compared to. Basically, cold is an adjective not a noun therefore it has no flow.


Am I right about this? Thanks for all the help guys!



Medline
 
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That looks like the best option to me. Your argument is good.

What grade/level is this at?
 
It is college undergrad Inorganic Chem. I am a junior but I am a little bit behind (it is generally a sophmore level chem class.) I wouldn't be so concerned with this question but if it is not what he thought the answer was when he wrote the question then he will not give us points for it even with a valid and logically sound reason. Better yet, his wife is the Chairman of the chem dept. so there is nothing the students can do.
 
The problem with questions that do not use standard scientific terminology (like the use of 'cold' in this case), is that it eventually comes down to guessing what's in the questioner's head.

A perfectly good answer, by my reckoning, would be: "Cold" does not flow, because I've never found any mention of such a thing in any textbook.

On the other hand, it would be perfectly reasonable to define a new quantity which is proportional to a heat flux, but with a negative sign in front of it, and call this a coolness flux or some such thing. But no such definition exists currently, in standard physics, so your answer ought to be the correct one.
 

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