Question

As you are aware, a heat wave has hit Seattle. After you are done taking this exam, you return home to find your air conditioner has broken. Your roommate hasn't taken Chemistry 161 and suggests that a way to stay cool is go to the kitchen, close the door, and open the refrigerator. Assuming the kitchen is well insulated, explain why this is a poor strategy for staying cool. Consider using the terms system and surroundings in your explanation. Draw a picture if necessary.

Answer 1

device that transfers heat from inside a box to its surroundings. The room around a refrigerator is warmed as it receives the heat removed from inside the box.

If you leave the door open, heat is merely recycled from the room into the refrigerator, then back into the room. A net room temperature increase would result from the heat of the motor that would be constantly running to move energy around in a circle.