When acetone, petrol, or perfume is applied to the palm, a cooling sensation is felt due to the evaporation process. These liquids have low boiling points and readily evaporate, requiring energy to change from liquid to vapor. This energy, or heat, is drawn from the surrounding environment, in this case, the palm, causing it to feel colder.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
Volatile Liquids:
Acetone, petrol, and perfume are volatile liquids, meaning they evaporate easily at room temperature.
Evaporation Requires Energy:
For a liquid to turn into a gas (evaporate), it needs to absorb energy, specifically the latent heat of vaporization.
Heat Transfer:
When these liquids evaporate on the palm, they absorb heat from the surrounding area, including the palm, causing the palm to feel cooler.
Low Boiling Points:
The low boiling points of these liquids contribute to their rapid evaporation and the immediate cooling effect.