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It is due to heat transfer by radiation. You must first understand all objects emit some radiation, even room temperature items, but hotter items release greater radiation. With a hot liquid, the vacuum flask is releasing heat via radiation (radiant heat) outwards into the surroundings, the surroundings mostly absorb this radiant heat, therefore the radiant heat is constantly lost to the surroundings. However, with a cold liquid the radiant heat is transferred from the surroundings to the vacuum flask, where the vacuum flask is a relatively small "target" for the radiant heat to strike. Therefore the cold liquid only receives a small amount of radiant heat from the surroundings and thus changes temperature more slowly.

Think of it this way: The surroundings is a very very large "target" for the heat released from the thermos to strike, while the thermos is a relatively tiny target for the heat from the surroundings to strike, thus it is easier for the thermos to lose heat than it is to absorb heat from the surroundings.

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Related Questions

Why can a vacuum flask be used to keep cold liquids cold?

A vacuum flask has double walls with a vacuum layer in between, which acts as insulation to prevent heat transfer. This means that cold liquids stored in a vacuum flask will be less affected by external temperatures, helping to keep them cold for longer periods of time.


What is the name of the thing used to keep liquids warm or cold?

Vacuum flask.


Can a vacuum flask keep cold liquids cold?

Yes, a vacuum flask can keep cold liquids cold by creating a vacuum between two layers of insulating material, which helps to maintain the temperature of the liquid inside the flask. This insulation prevents external temperature changes from affecting the liquid inside, allowing it to stay cold for an extended period of time.


How does a vacuum flask keep hot liquids hot and cold liquids cold?

A vacuum flask is designed with a double-walled construction. The inner wall is coated with a reflective coating to prevent radiation heat transfer, while the space between the walls is vacuum-sealed to prevent heat conduction. This insulation helps to maintain the temperature of the liquid inside, whether hot or cold.


How does a vacuum flash work?

A vacuum flask works by using a double-wall design with a vacuum between the walls. This vacuum acts as an insulator, preventing heat transfer through conduction and convection. This helps to keep hot liquids hot and cold liquids cold for an extended period of time.


What is the scientific principle of making thermos flask?

thermos flask actually works on the principle of insulator. air is trapped between 2 walls of the flask. air being a bad conductor of heat traps it between the walls. this keeps the material in the flask hot for a longer period.add. Actually, usually there is a vacuum between the two walls of the flask, for this is a better insulator than air. hence the name 'vacuum flask'.


Why are vacuum flasks called vacuum flasks?

Vacuum flasks are named so because they have a double-wall design with a vacuum-sealed space between the walls. This vacuum insulation helps to minimize heat transfer by conduction or convection, keeping hot liquids hot and cold liquids cold for an extended period of time.


What is silvering in a vacuum flask?

Silvering in a vacuum flask involves coating the inner surface of the flask with a reflective layer of silver to minimize heat radiation and enhance thermal insulation. This silvering process helps to reduce heat transfer between the contents of the flask and the surrounding environment, improving its ability to maintain the temperature of hot or cold liquids for longer periods.


From what language was thermos?

The word "thermos" is derived from the Greek word "therme," which means heat. It was coined around 1907 as a trademark for a vacuum flask that keeps liquids hot or cold.


Where was the thermos derived from?

The thermos was derived from the invention of a vacuum flask by Sir James Dewar in the 1890s. The vacuum insulation technology used in the thermos helps to keep liquids either hot or cold for extended periods of time.


Why your vacuum flask cannot maintain the cold anymore?

There could be a crack or leakage that allows air to flow in or out of the flask. It may be time to replace the flask with a new one.


Why can cold water in an uncapped vacuum flask still stay cold?

It will certainly not stay cold as long as if it were capped.