Chapter 9, Problem 7RQ

Is cold the opposite of thermal energy or the lack of it?.

To determine

Whether cold is opposite of thermal energy or the lack of it.

Answer to Problem 7RQ

The cold is not the opposite of thermal energy, but it is the lack of thermal energy

Explanation of Solution

Heat is a thermal energy that transfers in the direction of cold from hot. That is heat transfers from a hot body to a cold body. A body is felt cold when it lacks the thermal energy. That is cold is the resultant caused due to the void of heat. In other words, cold is the result of lowered thermal energy.

An object is felt cold, not because it contains something or it opposes thermal energy, but because of lack of heat. That is cold is felt when it lacks thermal energy.

Conclusion:

Therefore, The cold is not the opposite of thermal energy, but it is the lack of thermal energy.