Question

rubbing alchol on skin feels cold. is it exothermic or endothermic? why?

rubbing alchol on skin feels cold. is it exothermic or endothermic? why?

Homework Answers

Answer #1

The alcohol has a lower boiling point as compared to water. So, when you rub alcohol on your skin, it takes up the heat from your skin. On absorbing heat, the liquid alcohol changes into gaseous state and quickly evaporates. Since, it takes up the heat from the skin, and evaporates into air, our hand feels cold.

The absorption of heat is an endothermic process. Thus, since the alcohol absorbs heat from ther skin, it is an endothermic process.

When we rub water on our skin, nothing happens. This is because water has a higher boiling point than alcohol, and thus, does not evaporate easily. Alcohol, with low boiling point, is much more volatile and thus evaporates easily by absorbing the heat from our skin. Therefor, it is an endothermic process.

Know the answer?
Your Answer:

Post as a guest

Your Name:

What's your source?

Earn Coins

Coins can be redeemed for fabulous gifts.

Not the answer you're looking for?
Ask your own homework help question
Similar Questions
why does sugar affect the freezing point of water? is this process endothermic or exothermic and...
why does sugar affect the freezing point of water? is this process endothermic or exothermic and is it possible to calculate the heat?
Classify each of the following processes as exothermic or endothermic and indicate the sign of ΔH....
Classify each of the following processes as exothermic or endothermic and indicate the sign of ΔH. butane gas burning in a lighter the reaction that occurs in a chemical cold pack often used to ice athletic injuries the burning of wax in a candle
identify each process as endothermic or exothermic and indicate the sign of delta h. sweat evaporating...
identify each process as endothermic or exothermic and indicate the sign of delta h. sweat evaporating from skin. water freezing in a freezer and wood burning to create fire.
Is the dissolution of calcium iodate in water exothermic or endothermic?
Is the dissolution of calcium iodate in water exothermic or endothermic?
Which of the following processes are exothermic, and which are endothermic and why? 1) Ice cubes...
Which of the following processes are exothermic, and which are endothermic and why? 1) Ice cubes solidify in the freezer 2) Dew forms on a lawn overnight 3) Ice cubes in a frost free-freezer slowly lose mass
Why is physisorption always exothermic? How can chemisorption sometimes be endothermic in contrast? Provide detailed answer...
Why is physisorption always exothermic? How can chemisorption sometimes be endothermic in contrast? Provide detailed answer in context of thermodynamcis , macroscoopic and microscopic.
Describe how a hot pack works, how does a cold pack work? Are these reactions exothermic...
Describe how a hot pack works, how does a cold pack work? Are these reactions exothermic or endothermic? Include a description of the chemicals used in your answer. Post your answer on the appropriate discussion topic. Type the answer will be better for me, thanks! Cold pack- ice pack
It is often difficult to tell whether a reaction is exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic...
It is often difficult to tell whether a reaction is exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (takes in heat) just by looking at it. For the following reaction, describe what information you would need to know about specific bonds (be specific about numbers of bonds, bonds breaking and being formed, etc.) to tell whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic: 2 CuO (s) + NO (g) ? Cu2O (s) + NO2 (g)
Indicate if the statements below best describe an ENDOthermic or EXOthermic process. Enter either endo or...
Indicate if the statements below best describe an ENDOthermic or EXOthermic process. Enter either endo or exo in each blank A reaction has a negative enthalpy change Energy is added in order to break a chemical bond A reaction takes place in water where the water increases in temperature Upon reaction, the energy of the products is lower than the energy of the reactants When holding ice in your hand, the ice melts and your hand becomes cold During reaction,...
Please explain and define Endothermic & Exothermic reactions How do these reactions relate to global warming?
Please explain and define Endothermic & Exothermic reactions How do these reactions relate to global warming?
ADVERTISEMENT
Need Online Homework Help?

Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 1 hours.

Ask a Question
ADVERTISEMENT