Physics 1

Seminar 2 Week 4 Heat transfer (Extra Questions) ans

Heat Transfer
σ = 5.67 x 10-8Wm-2K-1 Wein constant (α) = 2.90 x10-3mK

Q1 The cabin of a light aircraft can be considered to be an approximately rectangular box,

sides 1.5m x 1.5m x 2m. The windows are made of Perspex, 10mm thick, and have a
total area of 3m2. The remainder of the cabin is made of thin aluminium sheet lined
with insulating material, 20mm thick. The cabin heater is able to maintain a
temperature of 20oC in the cabin when the air temperature is -10oC. Assuming the
temperature difference across the aluminium alloy may be neglected.

a) Calculate the power of the heater

𝑘𝐴(𝑇2 −𝑇1 )
1 a) 𝑄 = 𝑙

0.2 × 3 × (20− −10)

For the windows Qwindow = = 1800 W
10 × 10−3

For the aluminium walls area = (1.5 × 1.5) × 2 + (1.5 × 2) × 4 = 16.5 𝑚2 minus the
windows = 13.5 𝑚2
3.5 ×10−2 ×13.5 ×(20− −10)
Qal = = 709 W
20 × 10−3

So total energy flowing through the cabin is 1800 + 709 = 2509 W

b) Calculate the percentage of total energy that escapes through the Perspex.

Thermal conductivity of Perspex = 0.2 Wm-1K-1

Thermal conductivity of insulator = 3.5 x 10-2 Wm-1K-1

𝑸𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒘 𝟏𝟖𝟎𝟎
𝑸𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍
= 𝟐𝟓𝟎𝟗 x 100 = 72%

Q2 Obtain the a value for the heat flow through a window across which the temperature
difference is 10K, if the window consists of

a) a single sheet of glass 6.0mm thick and 2.5m2 in area

𝑘𝐴(𝑇2 −𝑇1 ) 0.8 ×2.5×10

𝑄= 𝑄= = 3.3 kW
𝑙 6 ×10−3

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 b) this sheet plus an identical sheet separated by a 10mm air space

Thermal conductivity of glass = 0.8 Wm-1K-1

Thermal conductivity of air = 0.02 x 10-2 Wm-1K-1

𝑻𝟏 − 𝑻𝟐 𝒍 𝒍 𝒍
𝑸𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍= 𝑹𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍
𝑹𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝑹𝒈 + 𝑹𝒂 + 𝑹𝒈 = 𝒌𝒈 ×𝑨
+ 𝒌𝒂 ×𝑨
+ 𝒌 ×𝑨
𝒈

𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝟏𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 𝟔 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑

= + +
𝟎. 𝟖 × 𝟐. 𝟓 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟐 × 𝟐. 𝟓 𝟎. 𝟖 × 𝟐. 𝟓

= 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 + 𝟐𝟎 + 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 = 𝟐𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟔 𝑲𝑾−𝟏

𝟏𝟎
𝑸𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟎 𝑾
𝟐𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟔

Q3 A Blacksmith takes a steel sword (temperature 900oC and mass 20kg) into a bucket of water
(temperature 18oC water mass = 10kg). What temperature will the sword and water reach?

S.H.C. water = 4200 JKg-1K-1 S.H.C. steel = 150 JKg-1K-1 S.H.C. Bucket is negligible

Energy lost from sword = energy gained by water

20 X 150 X (1173 – T) = 10 X 4200 X (T – 291)
351900 – 300T = 42000T – 12.222 x106
41700T = 12573900
T = 301.5K
T = 28.5oC

Q4 Suppose a star radiates most strongly at about 200 nm. How hot is it?

Wien’s Law 𝜆𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑇 = 0.0029 so T = 0.0029/200 x 10-9 = 14500 K

Q5 The surface temperature of Arcturus is about half as hot as the Sun’s, but Arcturus is
about 100 times more luminous that the Sun. What is its radius, compared to the
Sun’s?
𝑇𝑠
𝑃𝑠 = 𝜀𝜎 × 4𝜋(𝑟𝑠 )2 × 𝑇𝑠 4 but 𝑃𝑎 = 100𝑃𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇𝑎 = 2
𝑇
100×𝑃𝑠 𝑟𝑎 2 ×( 𝑠 )4
So assuming the constants are the same = 2
𝑃𝑠 𝑟𝑠 2 ×(𝑇𝑠 )4
𝑟𝑎 2
So 100 = so 𝑟𝑎 2 = 100 × 16 𝑟𝑠 2 so 𝑟𝑎 = 40𝑟𝑠
𝑟𝑠 2 ×16

Q6 If a furnace emits radiation with a wavelength of peak intensity at 100 nanometres,

what is its temperature?
𝜆𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑇 = 0.0029 so T = 0.0029/100 x 10-9 = 29000K

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Q7 Wein’s law of radiation states that λmax ∝ 1/T.

a) i) State the constant of proportionality.

Wien’s constant is 0.0029

ii) give the constant the correct units.

mK

b) Illustrate the law by drawing curves of energy density against wavelength at

three different black body temperatures.

Q8 Explain how shiny metal sheets behind wall radiators can improve their efficiency at
heating the room.

The shiny sheets reflect radiation back into the room so energy is not lost through
conduction through the wall.

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