Physics 1 

Seminar 2 Week 4 Heat transfer                                        (Extra Questions)  
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 

  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 

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 

  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 

Q3  A Blacksmith takes a steel sword (temperature 900oC and mass 20kg ) into a bucket of water 
(temperature   18oC and mass 10 kg). What temperature will the sword and water reach? 
 
  S.H.C. water = 4200 JKg‐1K‐1      S.H.C.  steel  = 150 JKg‐1K‐1 
 
Q4 Suppose a star radiates most strongly at about 200 nm. How hot is it?


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?


Q6 If a furnace emits radiation with a wavelength of peak intensity at 100 micrometres,
what is its temperature?

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

a) i) State the constant of proportionality.
ii) give the constant the correct units.

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.
 

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