Wind Chill Factor: Real or Perceived?

[maximus]

this one is simple: is the wind chill factor an actual factor or is it only perceived by humans?

 

[HallsofIvy]

What do you mean by a "real factor"?

 

[kyle_soule]

It's the same factor that happens when you blow on soup, the air movement increases the loss of heat, hence, it cools faster.

For an inanimate object, windchill has an effect if the object is warm. For example, say that you fill two glasses with the same amount of 100-degree water. You put one glass in your refrigerator, which is at 35 degrees, and one outside, where it is 35 degrees and the wind is blowing at 25 mph (so the windchill makes it feel like 8 degrees). The glass outside will get cold quicker than the glass in the refrigerator because of the wind. However, the glass outside will not get colder than 35 degrees -- the air is 35 degrees whether it is moving or not. That is why the thermometer reads 35 degrees even though it feels like 8 degrees.

 

[Alexander]

Originally posted by maximus
this one is simple: is the wind chill factor an actual factor or is it only perceived by humans?

It is perceived not only humans. Try to chill your processor without wind (fan) - what happens then?

 

[kyle_soule]

Originally posted by Alexander
It is perceived not only humans. Try to chill your processor without wind (fan) - what happens then?

Water cooling is very efficient.

 

[Alexander]

Yes. For human too.

 

[drag]

Originally posted by Alexander
It is perceived not only humans. Try to chill your
processor without wind (fan) - what happens then?

Originally posted by kyle_soule
Water cooling is very efficient.

Oh yeah... try it...

 

[maximus]

look, i was just wondering how my car can give an accurate reading of the outside temperature while in motion

 

[damgo]

The thermometer is probably in a compartment or part of the car that doesn't feel much wind. You could mostly enclose it, but leave enough ventilation opening to the rear so that the air inside the compartment would stay the same temp as the outside but not feel much wind.

 

[kyle_soule]

Originally posted by maximus
look, i was just wondering how my car can give an accurate reading of the outside temperature while in motion

Hey, who's topic is this anyways!

The engine sensory on many cars is on the right side of the engine, top right corner of radiator.