Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 16: Problem 8

Give an everyday example of hydrostatic equilibrium. Give an example of thermal equilibrium. Explain how these equilibrium conditions apply to each example.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A good example of hydrostatic equilibrium can be seen in a glass of water where the pressure on all sides is equal. As for thermal equilibrium, an example is a cup of hot tea in a room that eventually cools down to match the room temperature.

Step by step solution

01

Identify Example for Hydrostatic Equilibrium

A good and simple example of hydrostatic equilibrium can be found when observing a glass of water. Here, the pressure exerted by the water onto the base of the glass is equal in all directions.
02

Explain Hydrostatic Equilibrium

In our chosen example, the water in the glass is affected by gravity which pulls it downwards. This creates pressure at all points of the base - this pressure is equal in all directions, which means it is in a state of hydrostatic equilibrium.
03

Identify Example for Thermal Equilibrium

A practical example of thermal equilibrium could be a cup of hot tea left to cool down in a room. After some time, the hot tea and the room air will reach the same temperature.
04

Explain Thermal Equilibrium

In the selected example, the initially hotter tea and the cooler room are in contact. Over time, the tea cools and the room's temperature slightly increases until the two reach the same temperature. This is known as achieving thermal equilibrium.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Briefly describe the three layers that make up the Sun's atmosphere. In what ways do they differ from each other?

Calculate the wavelengths at which the photosphere, chromosphere, and corona emit the most radiation. Explain how the results of your calculations suggest the best way to observe these regions of the solar atmosphere. (Hint: Treat each part of the atmosphere as a perfect blackbody. Assume average temperatures of \(50,000 \mathrm{~K}\) and \(1.5 \times 10^{6} \mathrm{~K}\) for the chromosphere and corona, respectively.)

The amount of visible light emitted by the Sun varies only a little over the 11-year sunspot cycle. But the amount of \(X\) rays emitted by the Sun can be 10 times greater at solar maximum than at solar minimum. Explain why these two types of radiation should be so different in their variability.

Explain how studying the oscillations of the Sun's surface can give important, detailed information about physical conditions deep within the Sun.

How do astronomers know that the temperature of the corona is so high?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Rotational Dynamics

Read Explanation

Magnetism

Read Explanation

Torque and Rotational Motion

Read Explanation

Work Energy and Power

Read Explanation

Translational Dynamics

Read Explanation

Kinematics Physics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free