Question

A clay pot containing water at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) is placed in the shade on a day in which the temperature is \(30^{\circ} \mathrm{C} .\) The outside of the clay pot is kept moist. Will the temperature of the water inside the clay pot (a) increase; (b) decrease; (c) remain the same?

Short answer

The temperature of the water inside the clay pot will decrease due to evaporation cooling.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Evaporation Cooling

Evaporation is a type of phase transition where a substance changes from a liquid state to a gas state. In this process, the particles of substance need to acquire enough energy to move from the liquid to the gas phase. As the water on the pot evaporates, the energy is taken from the pot, causing a decrease in the pot's (and subsequently the water inside) temperature.

Consider the Environmental Temperature

The current environmental temperature is \(30^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and the pot is kept in shade. This implies that there is minimal additional heat from the sun, therefore the primary heat source is the environmental air. The water inside the clay pot is initially at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), which is less than the environmental temperature.

Evaluate Temperature Changes

Due to evaporation cooling, the pot's temperature will decrease further from the initial \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), and as the pot cools, it also cools the water inside. Therefore, it can be concluded that the temperature of the water inside the clay pot will decrease.

Key concepts

Evaporative Cooling: A Natural Cooling Process

Evaporative cooling is a fascinating phenomenon where heat is absorbed by liquid particles, causing them to transform into gas. This process uses energy from the surrounding environment, thus cooling it.

When water evaporates from the surface of a clay pot, it takes latent heat with it. Latent heat is the energy absorbed during a phase change, in this case, from liquid to gas. The energy taken from the surrounding area results in a temperature drop.

• This is why the surfaces that are constantly moist and another liquid is evaporating from them can feel cool to the touch.
• It's the very principle that keeps the clay pot cooler under the right conditions.

This cooling effect is naturally occurring and does not rely on external energy sources. It offers a simple yet effective method of cooling down, especially on warm days.

Phase Transition: From Liquid to Gas

A phase transition occurs when a substance changes from one state of matter to another. In the case of our clay pot example, the water acts as the substance in focus.

Phase transition from liquid to gas involves molecules gaining sufficient energy to break free from their liquid bonds and disperse into the air as vapor.

• During this transition, the faster-moving molecules escape first, leaving behind slower, cooler molecules.
• As a result, the average temperature of the remaining liquid decreases.

This is significant because such transitions are integral to processes like evaporative cooling, where understanding the mechanics of energy exchange gives insight into natural temperature regulation systems.

Environmental Temperature: Its Impact on Cooling

Environmental temperature plays a crucial role in processes like evaporative cooling. When the clay pot is placed outside on a sunny day, several factors might influence the water's temperature inside the pot.

Firstly, the pot is placed in the shade, meaning direct sunlight does not heat the pot further. However, the surrounding air, which is at 30°C, still influences the system.

• The clay acts as an insulator, although to a limited degree, allowing heat exchange with the environment.
• Despite the external heat, the evaporation from the pot's surface facilitates a net cooling process.

Hence, even in a warmer external environment, evaporative cooling through phase change can effectively lower the temperature of the water inside the pot. The temperature difference accentuates the cooling effect, as the cooler the air relative to water, the more pronounced the cooling.