H.W 4 GSC125-01 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

H.W 4 GSC125-01 - Essay Example Answer: According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat flows in response to a temperature gradient. Heat flows from a high-temperature region toward low-temperature region to remove the existing gradient. Heat is transferred by the processes of conduction, convection, radiation and latent heating (phase transition of water). Answer: On a global annual average basis, radiational heating of earth’s surface is greater than radiational cooling and radiational cooling of the atmosphere is greater than radiational heating. However, due to the formation of temperature gradient, heat is transported from warmer earth’s surface to the cooler atmosphere through processes of latent heating and sensible heating cooling the earth’s surface. Radiation is the principal means by which heat enters and escapes from the planet to space maintaining a habitable environment on earth. Answer: If the temperature falls below freezing, bridge will freeze more quickly than the road surface. Compared to road surface, bridge is exposed to air from all sides resulting in rapid heat loss. Additionally, the heat underneath the road keeps it warm enough extending the time duration of heat loss. The bridge material (mostly steel or concrete) is also a good conductor of heat, whereas road surface material (asphalt) is an insulator of heat. For these reasons, a traffic sign along an Ohio highway warns motorists that a bridge freezes before the road surface. Answer: Both Fahrenheit and Celsius are useful temperature scales for measuring temperature and are based upon the reproducible phase changes in water. On Celsius scale, freezing point of water is 0Â °C and boiling point is 100Â °C. On Fahrenheit temperature scale, water freezes at 32Â °F and boils at 212Â °F. Thus, the Celsius scale is more convenient to use as a 100 degree interval separates the freezing and boiling points of pure water at sea level. Compared to Celsius, Fahrenheit scale is more