Physics question

[Jassim]

When you attach a piece of cotton dipped in ethanol to a thermometer and wave it around for a while it gets colder.. Why is that?

[Blinger1]

Wouldn't the wind temperature play a part?

do it with your hand, should do the same thing..

[Josh-H]

Heat energy from the cotton is used to evaporate the ethanol.
This is why you're cold when you get out the shower, heat energy from your skin is used to evaporate the water.

[Mounta1nGoat]

Wouldn't the wind temperature play a part?

do it with your hand, should do the same thing..
Dip your hand in ethanol then shake a thermometer around? lol.

[Blinger1]

Dip your hand in ethanol then shake a thermometer around? lol.
Mine was worded badly, i meant in water and just wave your hand.. you feel the cold straight away almost??

[Jassim]

Heat energy from the cotton is used to evaporate the ethanol.
This is why you're cold when you get out the shower, heat energy from your skin is used to evaporate the water.
Your a life saver! Thanks alot to everyone that replied!