Why are we able to sip hot tea or milk faster from a saucer rather than a cup?

Answer

A hot cup of tea or milk gets cooler due to evaporation. 

 

We know that evaporation depends upon the surface area. 

The more surface area , the faster is the rate of evaporation. 

Since the surface area is more when tea/milk is in the saucer as compared to that when tea/milk is in the cup, the rate of evaporation is faster in a saucer. 

Hence, we are able to sip hot tea or milk faster from a saucer rather than a cup.

Rate of evaporation is higher when surface area-Teachoo-01.jpg

 

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Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo