2007-09-17 08:07:35 · 6 answers · asked by the purple duck 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Even when your body is at rest, it still generates about 100 joules per second (100 watts) of heat that must be gotten rid of. If you are standing completely nude, the surrounding air temperature must be about 30˚C (86˚F) for the thermal gradient to be enough for the body to get rid of this extra heat and maintain its internal temperature with no special adjustments from the body.
Clothes, of course, provide thermal insulation and increase the amount of temperature difference necessary to rid the body of the extra heat. The body can also respond cold external temperatures by shutting down some of the blood flow to the surface of the body. This allows the skin surface to drop in temperature and increases the overall thermal resistance between the body's interior and the outside environment.
On the other hand, the body can resort to evaporative cooling, aka sweating, and to increase the amount of blood to the surface of the skin to increase the amount of heat flow to the environment if the difference in temperatures isn't enough by itself to rid the body of excess heat. Mammals without sweat glands may resort to panting instead as a way to increase the rate of heat transfer.
Posture is another way to regulate heat transfer. House cats, for example, seem to pour themselves all over the carpet when taking a snooze in hot weather. This increases the surface area from which they can lose excess heat. In colder weather, these same cats tuck their feet in and hunch themselves into a ball to minimize their exposure to the cold external temperature.
2007-09-17 08:37:32 · answer #1 · answered by devilsadvocate1728 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if 37ºC is the body temperature where you are then it is 98.6ºF where I am. I don't understand that either. When the internal temperature drops but is still in the 90'sº we are colder and that is the mystery to me. One weather is air temperature and the other is liquid. I have an idea you can put your finger in water at the temperature and not burn your finger. When bathing the bath water starts to feel cool in no time and I have to ad more hot water that starts to cool quickly. Evaporation is involved.
2007-09-17 08:27:43 · answer #2 · answered by Pepsi 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You notice, you usually don't take your temperature on your shoulder, or chest, or hand, which would really be more convenient than your ear or under your tongue. This is because your internal temperature is the temperature you're looking for.
Moreover, your body is conditioned to recognize excess heat as a threat to survival, and for the same reason you experience pain, you feel heat at levels which can cause heat stress, heat exhaustion, and death to survive, even if it is consistent with your natural body temperature.
2007-09-17 08:27:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your body functions generate heat which is dissipated by the skin to the surroundings. When the temperature around you is cool it is easy but when it is hot you must depend on evaporation for cooling so you sweat, and feel hot.
2007-09-17 08:17:15 · answer #4 · answered by meg 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your internal body temp is much warmer than the temperature on the surface of your skin. Your body temp is about 98.6, but the temp of your skin is not.
2007-09-17 08:11:58 · answer #5 · answered by kevin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that is the metabolism. when your blood gets moving faster you will get hotter. Another reason is that if the air is not moving good that will cause the body to hold the heat more
2007-09-17 08:19:40 · answer #6 · answered by Speedy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋