2006-09-20 12:10:46 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I believe that people feel the transfer of heat more than temperature. For example, say it is a mildly cool day outside. You feel neither cold nor hot, but when you sit down on a metal bench, your bum starts getting cold. The bench should be the same temperature as the air. It has been surrounded by it all day long. What is different is that metal conducts heat faster than air, so you feel the heat being removed from you faster. In other words, you don't feel the temperature, you feel the rate at which your body looses heat.
As for your problem. If you run a fever, your hand is the same temperature as your forehead, so there would be no heat transfer and thus no "feeling". If a person of normal temperature could feel your forehead and notice the heat transferring from your forehead to their hand. Thus they can feel it but you can't.
2006-09-20 12:29:01 · answer #1 · answered by Cadair360 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The hand is not sensitive enough. If you could kiss your own forehead you could easily feel increased temperature. Also if you could put your cheeks close up the same thing happens! The lips and cheeks area are more sensitive to heat, touch etc.
2006-09-20 12:19:25 · answer #2 · answered by KCD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is extremely difficult to determine temperature by touch.
And the difference between "normal" temperature and running a fever may only be 2 or 3 degrees - hardly a noticeable difference.
2006-09-20 12:14:55 · answer #3 · answered by LeAnne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because your entire body is hot, and you won't feel a temperature difference by touching your own forehead.
2006-09-20 12:11:48 · answer #4 · answered by rita_alabama 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋