4.8 - An Introduction to Thermal Physics

Question

Can you cool off your kitchen by leaving the refrigerator door open? Explain.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

No, rather it will heat the kitchen.

Step 1 : Given

The refrigerator door is opened . 

Explain if it will cool the kitchen.

Step 2: Explanation

From the law of conservation of energy we know that the energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but it can only be transferred from one form to another.

In refrigerator, it absorbs heat from the items kept inside it, and emits the heat out of the refrigerator inside the kitchen.

According to law of thermodynamics, 100% transfer is not possible, so there will always some energy that is used, but could not contribute entirely to the result. This energy escapes to the system as heat.

So, if we keep the door of the refrigerator open, it will heat the kitchen.