Energy Transfer and Dissipation Answers

Some people are standing around a bonfire.

E

C D G
B
F

Describe the energy transfers in this system that cause the people and the surroundings to
warm up.

Energy is transferred from the chemical energy store of the fuel to the internal energy
store of the people and the surroundings by heating/radiation.
An increase in the internal energy store will mean the temperature of the people and
the surroundings increases.

Determine which person will feel the warmest.

person D

Explain why, referring to the energy transfers involved.

As energy is transferred from the fire, it dissipates. This means that it spreads out.
People who are further away from the fire will have less energy transferred to them
because the energy is being shared over a larger area.
The closer someone is to the fire, the larger the increase in their internal energy
store, so the more their temperature will increase.