Even when air and water are at the same temperature, water will "feel" distinctly colder to us. This difference is due to the much higher heat capacity of water than of air. Offered here is an interesting life science application of water's high heat capacity and its serious implications for the maintenance of body temperature and the prevention of hypothermia in warm-blooded animals.
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Citation
Kimbrough, Doris R. J. Chem. Educ.1998 75 48.
Keywords
Introductory/High School Chemistry, Public Understanding/Appreciation, Calorimetry, Teaching/Learning Aids, and Thermodynamics
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