The Science of Air Conditioning

What is the primary function of an air conditioner?

• To heat the air inside a building

• To cool the air inside a building

• To purify the air inside a building

• To humidify the air inside a building

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Which of the following best describes how air conditioners cool the air?

• By speeding up air molecules

• By slowing down air molecules

• By adding more air molecules

• By removing air molecules

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What happens to the energy removed from the air inside a building by an air conditioner?

• It is destroyed

• It is transferred to the air outside

• It is stored in the air conditioner

• It is converted into electricity

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Explain why running an air conditioner can make the outside air hotter.

• Because it releases cold air outside

• Because it transfers energy from inside to outside, increasing the outside air temperature

• Because it absorbs heat from the outside air

• Because it uses electricity

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How does the concept of energy transfer apply to cooling a fever with a washcloth?

• The washcloth absorbs energy from the air

• The washcloth transfers energy to the forehead

• The forehead transfers energy to the washcloth

• The washcloth creates energy

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What is the relationship between molecule speed and air temperature?

• Faster molecules mean lower temperature

• Slower molecules mean higher temperature

• Faster molecules mean higher temperature

• Molecule speed does not affect temperature

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Describe the process of energy transfer when a warm forehead comes into contact with a cool washcloth.

• Energy is transferred from the washcloth to the forehead

• Energy is transferred from the forehead to the washcloth

• Energy is created in the washcloth

• Energy is destroyed in the forehead

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Why does the temperature of a washcloth eventually equal the temperature of a forehead?

• Because energy transfer stops when temperatures equalize

• Because the washcloth absorbs all the energy

• Because the forehead stops producing energy

• Because the washcloth creates energy

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Analyze the impact of widespread air conditioner use on urban heat during a heatwave.

• It decreases the overall temperature

• It has no effect on the temperature

• It increases the temperature due to energy transfer to the outside air

• It cools the outside air

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Predict what might happen if everyone in a city used air conditioning during a heatwave.

• The city's temperature would decrease

• The city's temperature would remain the same

• The city's temperature would increase

• The city's temperature would fluctuate randomly

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