In terms of response time, what is a key limitation of the thermocouple fire detection system?

The key limitation of the thermocouple fire detection system in terms of response time is that it may not provide timely warnings for slow temperature increases. Thermocouples detect temperature changes through the voltage produced at the junction of two different metals when heated. However, if a fire develops slowly, the temperature rise may not be significant enough to trigger a rapid response from the thermocouple system. This slower response time can delay the alert to the presence of a fire, which is critical in aircraft operations where rapid detection can be vital for safety.

The other options capture different aspects of fire detection systems but do not directly address the specific limitation regarding response time. For instance, while chemical systems might have different characteristics, they are not variable relative to the thermocouples' response to temperature changes. Similarly, issues surrounding reliability and false alarms pertain more to the overall reliability and accuracy of detection rather than the responsiveness to temperature increases.