Chapter 5, Problem 1E

A burning match and a bonfire may have the same temperature, yet you would not sit around a burning match on a fall evening to stay warm. Why not?

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

On a fall evening to stay warm, one would prefer to sit around bonfire not around a burning match, though both might have same temperature. An explanation is required for the given statement.

Concept introduction:

The exchange of thermal energy of an object occurs in the form of energy, which is called heat.

The thermal energy is a kind of kinetic energy that is associated to the atoms and the molecule. The thermal energy is dependent on the state and nature of a substance.

Answer to Problem 1E

The quantity or amount of heat generated by the matchstick is less than that of a bonfire.

Explanation of Solution

A matchstick and the logs used in the bonfire are made of wood, so they have same thermal conductivity value. The amount of wood used in a matchstick is very less as compared to the wooden logs used in a bonfire. So, the heat generated by the matchstick is very less as compared to that of bonfire.

Conclusion

On the evening fall to keep ourselves warm, we prefer to sit near the object which produces more heat. Therefore, one would not prefer to sit near the matchstick.