Calorimetry (Thermodynamics) Question!

[yestomeds]

Hey guys, just looking at a simple calorimetry experiment using a styrofoam cup. We're using a lid on that cup during this calorimetry experiment because we wanna:

prevent heat loss via convection or
prevent heat loss via evaporation? (note, one cannot choose both).

This is p.154 from TBR Chem, Book 2.

Thanks so much for your clarification/explanation!!

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[sazerac]

Evaporation isn't really an independent process of having dynamic thermo's (heat loss). There is radiation, conduction, and convection. I imagine evaporation is a subtype of convection, heat loss by hot things moving away.

Put your hand over a cup of coffee. You can feel the heat rising over you. That's convection, moving a lot of heat.

I vote convection.

 

[ferrari430man]

I'd go for convection currents as well because it refers to movement of fluids or air due to heat transfer. Hope this helps!

 

[yestomeds]

I vote conduction.

You mean you vote convection?

I'd go for convection currents as well because it refers to movement of fluids or air due to heat transfer. Hope this helps!

Thanks.

Yea I think it's a lack of understanding on my end, as I'm not getting why evaporation is not considered the appropriate (or as appropriate) answer here.

 

[sazerac]

Thanks. I wrote that on a phone and I think it got autocorrected. I fixed it.