Certified Facility Manager (CFM) Practice Exam

How does convection heat loss affect body temperature?

1. By reducing humidity in the air

2. By transferring heat by moving cooler air over the body

3. By absorbing body heat through contact

4. By increasing surface area exposure to air

The correct answer is: By transferring heat by moving cooler air over the body

Convection heat loss affects body temperature primarily by transferring heat through the movement of air. When cooler air moves over the body, it absorbs heat from the skin, thereby reducing the body’s overall temperature. This process is a result of the principles of thermodynamics, where heat naturally flows from a warmer object (the body) to a cooler one (the air). As air circulates, it continually replaces the warmer air close to the skin with cooler air, enhancing the body's heat loss. This is particularly relevant in environments where air movement is present, such as outdoor breezes or air conditioning systems. Understanding this mechanism is crucial in fields like facility management, where temperature control can enhance occupant comfort and efficiency in energy consumption. The other options relate to different physical phenomena, but they do not accurately describe the primary effect of convection on body temperature. For example, reducing humidity or absorbing heat through contact would pertain more to evaporation or conduction, while increasing surface area exposure primarily pertains to the principles of radiation rather than convection. Therefore, the mechanism of heat transfer through moving air is central to understanding convection heat loss and its impact on body temperature.