Why is space cold if there’s no matter in it?
In: Physics
Yea its a case of lack of molecules (hence space) heat dosnt transfer through a vacuum very well
In the sunlight temps scorch in shaded non lit areas cold.
Ironically the space station has more of a cooling problem than heating as the heat generated from the astronauts and electronics dosnt dissipate very well and large heat sinks are required to dissipate heat generated
It’s cold *because* there’s very little matter to hold onto energy. Cold is just a lack of thermal energy.
The movie-depiction of “everything freezing to death in space” in a second is not true. And yes, space aint cold – exactly because its so empty. So, Overheating is a far bigger issuein space, because that vaccum cant transmit heat easily, you cant get rid of the heat (on spacestations / -suits) energy easily.
In reality there isn’t such a thing as “cold” just less hot. (Similar to how black is just no light)
Heat is the movement of atoms and molecules. So if you have no matter, you can’t have any heat.
I can’t give a thorough answer, but matter holds and conducts heat, which is why you can feel heat. For instance, part of the reason that earth is warm is because of the greenhouse gases creating a sort of bubble around earth that keeps the heat bouncing around inside, creating our atmosphere. Beyond that barrier everything is different and it gets very cold. Everything is open and flows freely. And back to the first thing, matter is what holds heat or energy. That’s why when the air is more humid, there is more water in there, it can feel hotter than it really is, because the water is such a great conductor of the heat. Likewise when it’s cold, which is why you sweat to cool off (as the water/sweat evaporates off you it pulls the energy with it). I’m sorry this is a very complicated answer, I hope someone else can provide a better one
The heat can’t travel because the matter holds the heat. With no matter to move it, the heat cannot move to heat- leaving it cold.
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