Question

Develop a model and use it to explain in 3–4 sentences why a person feels cold when rubbing alcohol is applied to skin.(4 points)

Answer 1

When rubbing alcohol is applied to the skin, it evaporates rapidly due to its low boiling point. This evaporation process requires energy, which it absorbs from the skin's surface, leading to a decrease in temperature and a cooling sensation. The body's thermoreceptors detect this drop in temperature, resulting in the perception of coldness. Furthermore, the evaporation of the alcohol creates a feeling of coolness because the rapid transition from liquid to vapor removes heat energy from the skin, enhancing the cooling effect.