Question

An insulated room is heated by burning candles. Is this a heat or work interaction? Take the entire room, including the candles, as the system.

Short answer

Answer: The process of heating an insulated room using candles is neither a heat nor work interaction between the room (the system) and its surroundings, since the energy transfer occurs within the system itself and there is no heat exchange with the surroundings. However, there is a heat interaction happening within the system due to the candles' combustion process.

Step-by-step solution

Define heat and work interactions

Heat interaction is an energy transfer between a system and its surroundings due to a temperature difference, while work interaction is an energy transfer between a system and its surroundings that is caused by a force acting through a distance or a deformation of the system.

Analyze the given scenario

In this scenario, the insulated room is heated by burning candles. The candles produce heat as they burn, causing the temperature of the room to increase. The room is insulated, which means that it prevents heat transfer between the room and its surroundings. Therefore, there is no heat exchange with the surroundings. Since the entire room, including the candles, is considered as the system, the energy transfer is occurring within the system itself.

Determine the type of interaction

As mentioned earlier, heat interaction occurs through a temperature difference, while work interaction is caused by a force or deformation. In this scenario, the increase in temperature is due to the energy release from burning candles, which is an internal process rather than an interaction between the system and surroundings. Moreover, there is no force or deformation involved in the process. So, neither heat nor work interaction is taking place with the surroundings. However, it's important to note that, within the system (the room and the candles), there is a heat interaction occurring, due to the candle's combustion process releasing heat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the process of heating an insulated room using candles is not a heat or work interaction between the room (the system) and its surroundings, since the energy transfer occurs within the system itself and there is no heat exchange with the surroundings. However, there is a heat interaction happening within the system due to the candles' combustion process.