0
$\begingroup$

When a wet cloth is hung up in a hot wind in the desert, it is cooled by evaporation to a temperature that may be or so below that of the air. Discuss this process in light of the second law of thermodynamics.

I come up with the following facts: Think of the cloth and the water on it separately. The cloth is a closed system(no matter exchange between the system and the environment). This system transfer its heat into the water since its temperature decreases. The water on the cloth can be also thought of as a closed system. Then since the temperature of the water increases, it absorbs heat from both the cloth and the hot wind.

I don't know whether they are true, and I really want to know why the cloth can cooled to a temperature below that of the air.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
6
  • $\begingroup$ is this homework? $\endgroup$
    – Name
    Apr 29, 2015 at 19:15
  • $\begingroup$ @Name no, it's not $\endgroup$
    – user43796
    Apr 29, 2015 at 19:15
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ related: physics.stackexchange.com/q/16549/23473 $\endgroup$
    – Jim
    Apr 29, 2015 at 19:15
  • $\begingroup$ @ACuriousJim There is not a single human involved in the problem $\endgroup$
    – user43796
    Apr 29, 2015 at 19:17
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @user43796 The presence of humans is irrelevant $\endgroup$
    – Jim
    Apr 29, 2015 at 19:17

0

Reset to default

Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.