Why does an individual suffer from hypothermia much more quickly in cold water than cold air?

Question

AP chemistry question- thermal energy

Answer 1

Because air is a lowsy thermal conductor. Hence, styrofoam cups. Water conducts temperature fairly well, hence water cooled engines. Since water is better at conducting heat it takes heat from the body far quicker than air does.

Answer 2

This is because water has a very much higher capacity to absorb heat that air (over a hundred times as great). Therefore, water removes body heat much more quickly than air. If you are dry, you could survive in air with the temperature below zero for some time (you could try that by wearing a swimsuit for a few minutes outside when the temoerature is below zero). If you fell into water that was below zero (sea water can become that cold) you would freezze in minutes.
edit: the answer below is also correct, which multiplies the effect of cold water on the human body.

Answer 3

Energy is transferred from your body to the surroundings when the surrounding molecules touch your body. They leave your body with a bit more energy (they move a bit faster), and your body loses a bit of energy (because energy is conserved. they gain it, you lose it). In which situation do surrounding molecules slam into your body more frequently? Water, which is much more dense than air? YES! It's frightening, but I think heat leaves your body a whopping 25x more quickly when you're in water than in air of the same temperature. That's why people die of hypothermia within minutes when, say, lost at sea in the North Atlantic.

Answer 4

Because water and blood are both liquid. They both get cold and freeze when your body is submerged in it.
Cold air with a lot of moisture makes you freeze, but your blood is still warm. But it will get cold if you stand out in the cold air for a long period of time. You start losing blood circulation and eventually you will freeze.