Question: why does a computer get so hot when we use it ceri?x

Ceri-Wyn Thomas answered on 18 Jun 2010:

Hi Firefly. Desktops and laptops get hot because they’re full of components (CD drive, hard drive, motherboard, battery etc) that are always doing WORK when they get switched on. They take electrical or potential energy and usually convert them to kinetic energy, electrical energy and of course heat energy. This heat can build up and cause the temperature of your computer to increase- that’s why computers have fans to circulate the air better through the machine- it’s especially dangerous for the motherboard to get too hot. Laptops usually have quite small, weak fans and also run off a battery which can get hot. That’s why it’s best to always use your laptop on a hard surface so that the fan is left clear and can cool it down more efficiently. Hope that helps!