On Feb 21, 9:43�pm, David Scheidt > wrote:
> wrote:
>
> :On Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:01:23 -0800 (PST), Joe >
> :wrote:
>
> :>sorry to post off topic here but I'm experimenting on how I can make
> :>my instant read thermometer a multipurpose tool and I'd like to know
> :>if there is any substance that I can poke my thermometer in to gauge a
> :>rooms temperature. Water seems to get a little colder than the room
> :>temp as does the open air. does anyone know a substance that maintains
> :>the room temp?
>
> :Huh?
> :If the temperature of the air in a room isn't the 'room temperature',
> :what is it?
>
> For measuring the temperature of things like walk in coolers, it's common
> to put a thermometer in a container of water. �The air temperature
> will vary a lot. �Open the door, and the air temperature goes up,
> dramatically. �When the blower comes on, the air temperature shoots down;
> if the thermometer happens to be under a vent, it'll be much lower than
> the temperature you're interested in, which is the temperature of things
> stored in the cooler.
>
> For humans, comfort in a room isn't entirely -- or even largely --
> about air temperature. �A very big factor is heat loss through the skin
> by radiation. �So the temperature of walls and windows matters a lot,
> because that's what you're radiating heat to. �(It's also why even light
> weight long sleeves make you feel much warmer than heavy short sleeve
> shirts. �It's also one of the reasons people complain hot air heat
> isn't as warm as radiators.) �So, in that sense, room temperature is
> misleading.

Actually human comfort level is primarily a product of air temperature
and *relative humidity*.