A hiker carries drinking water in a cloth-covered, metal container called a canteen. During the summer, the hiker wets the cloth covering so that the water in the canteen stays cool. Which of the following statements explains why a wet covering keeps the water cool?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Evaporation of water from the covering absorbs heat from the surrounding environment, including the canteen, to change the water from liquid to vapor. This process effectively removes heat from the canteen, keeping the water inside cooler.

A Hiker Carries Drinking Water in a Cloth-Covered, Metal Container