A student wraps a wet paper towel around the probe of a digital thermometer.
As the water evaporates from the paper towel, the temperature reading on the thermometer changes.
Which of the following correctly explains the change in temperature?
The more energetic molecules leave the liquid, so the average kinetic energy of the remaining molecules decreases, and the temperature decreases.
The more energetic molecules leave the liquid, so the average kinetic energy of the remaining molecules increases, and the temperature increases.
The less energetic molecules leave the liquid, so the average kinetic energy of the remaining molecules decreases, and the temperature decreases.
The less energetic molecules leave the liquid, so the average kinetic energy of the remaining molecules increases, and the temperature increases.
528 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 2.2 Thermal properties and temperature, covering 2.2.1 Thermal expansion of solids, liquids and gases, 2.2.2a Internal energy and temperature, 2.2.2b Specific heat capacity, 2.2.3a Melting, boiling, condensation and solidification, 2.2.3b Evaporation, and 2.2.3c Cooling by evaporation. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.