When the snow started falling, the boys noticed

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When snow falls, it can feel cooler than the surrounding air, even if both are at the same temperature. This sensation is due to the rate of heat transfer; snow absorbs heat from the body more effectively than air does. The body perceives temperature based on heat transfer rates, so touching snow results in a quicker loss of heat compared to air. Additionally, still air warms up next to the skin, reducing heat loss, while snow maintains a constant cooling effect. Understanding these principles explains why snow feels colder despite having the same temperature as the air.
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When the snow started falling, the boys noticed that the air in the night and snow had the same temperature. However, snow seemed to be cooler on touch...
State the reasons in detail, why it is like that.

Hello..Can someone help me with that ? It isn't homework..
 
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When you feel heat or cold what your body is actually feeling is the rate of heat transfer into or out of the body through the skin. Air requires a relatively small amount of heat to change it's temperature so if you stand still in still air the air right next to your body quickly warms up, this reduces the temperature difference and therefore the rate of heat transfer. If there is wind the warm air is constantly swept away and you feel colder because you are loosing heat faster. Ice or snow will absorb heat faster then air at the same temperature, since your body senses heat transfer instead of actual temperature this translates into feeling colder.

This is also why people are able to walk over hot coals. They may be over 1000 degrees F but they are very bad at transferring heat so your feet are able to absorb and despite the heat as fast as it is transferred without burning.
 
Thx so much..

"This is also why people are able to walk over hot coals. They may be over 1000 degrees F but they are very bad at transferring heat so your feet are able to absorb and despite the heat as fast as it is transferred without burning."

It's very interesting information. THX
 
Precisely... This is also why even when the surrounding air temperature might be lower than the temperature of water in a lake, you will still get hypothermia if you take a small dip rather than walk around.
 
BakyX said:
When the snow started falling, the boys noticed that the air in the night and snow had the same temperature. However, snow seemed to be cooler on touch...
State the reasons in detail, why it is like that.

Hello..Can someone help me with that ? It isn't homework..

Mr speedybob is right. When you touch something with your finger, you don't feel the temperature of what you touch, you feel the temperature of your finger. Air does not cool your finger down as fast or as much as snow, even tho they are both at the same temperature.
 

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