Hello,
I was wondering if someone could please help me with a question I am stuck on?
It is the June 2011 paper, question 4c. Basically it talks about this heater in an insulated pot used to heat up some water from -14 degrees to 40 degrees. Then at the end it asks whether the final temperature water would have been higher or lower than 40 degrees if the pot was not insulated and the temperature of the room was 25 degrees.
I thought that surely the temperature would be lower, because although the water would heat up quicker to begin with, because of energy transfer from the surroundings to the water as well as from the heater to the water, beyond 25 degrees there would be energy transfer from the water to surroundings, and heater to surroundings. But according to the mark scheme the final temperature should be higher.
I would be really grateful if anyone would explain to me WHY?
Thanks!
Alex