When you apply an alcohol swab to your skin, it feels cool because A) your skin transfers a bit of heat to the liquid alcohol and the alcohol evaporates. B) the density of alcohol is less than 1 g per cm³. C) germs are destroyed by the alcohol, and they give off cold heat as they die. D) of nothing-it is an illusion, because evaporating alcohol is actually hotter than liquid alcohol.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the alcohol swab is applied to the skin, some heat from the skin is transferred to the cooler alcohol causing it to evaporate. As the alcohol evaporates, it absorbs the heat, making the skin feel cool. This is why applying rubbing alcohol to a feverish person’s skin helps to bring the temperature down.

When You Apply an Alcohol Swab to Your Skin, It