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Multiple Choice
Why do your feet feel cooler on a tile floor than on a warm rug?
A
Tile conducts heat away from your feet more efficiently than a rug does.
B
Tile floors are always at a lower temperature than rugs.
C
Tile has a lower specific heat capacity than a rug, so it absorbs less heat from your feet.
D
Rugs are made of materials that generate heat when touched.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of heat transfer: Heat moves from a warmer object (your feet) to a cooler object (the floor) until thermal equilibrium is reached. Materials differ in their ability to conduct heat.
Identify the property of the materials involved: Tile is a good conductor of heat, meaning it transfers heat away from your feet more efficiently. Rugs, on the other hand, are insulators and do not conduct heat as effectively.
Clarify the temperature perception: The tile floor feels cooler because it rapidly conducts heat away from your feet, creating a sensation of cold. The rug feels warmer because it slows down heat transfer, retaining more heat near your feet.
Address the specific heat capacity: Specific heat capacity refers to the amount of heat required to change the temperature of a material. While this property is relevant in some contexts, it is not the primary reason for the difference in sensation between tile and rug.
Debunk the incorrect statement: Rugs do not generate heat when touched. The warmth felt on a rug is due to its insulating properties, which prevent rapid heat loss from your feet.