Albert places a thermometer in hot water during a lab and the column of fluid inside the thermometer rises to 90 degrees Celsius. As the student takes measurements of the temperature, it drops until it reaches 24 degrees Celsius, room temperature. When the
data is graphed, Albert notices that the initial decrease in temperature is more rapid. How should he explain his observation?
A)
Water has a low specific heat so it rapidly loses heat to its surroundings.
B)
The decrease should have been constant, so the thermometer was probably
defective.
As the water and air seek to reach the same temperature, the water
absorbs cold from the surrounding air.
D)
The difference between the water's temperature and that of the classroom
was greater in the first few minutes so the water lost heat more rapidly.