There is an 8x8x8 room on the moon

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a hypothetical scenario involving an 8x8x8 room on the moon, containing a refrigerator and a light bulb, with the goal of determining the temperature of the room and how it changes over time. The context includes considerations of thermodynamics in a vacuum environment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that heat fluctuation is related to the motion of particles, implying that the area around the light bulb would experience an increase in temperature due to the light's effect on particles.
  • Another participant questions the purpose of cooling a vacuum and seeks clarification on what the temperature of a vacuum actually is.
  • A participant references a previous discussion about the space shuttle's method of radiating heat to avoid buildup, suggesting that the bulb would heat the refrigerator walls and that heat would eventually escape through insulation.
  • It is noted that the light bulb would heat areas of the room it illuminates, while shaded areas would not receive warmth, raising questions about the distribution of heat in a vacuum.
  • There is a consideration of whether the refrigerator is functioning and whether its door is open, which could significantly affect the temperature dynamics in the room.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints regarding the heating effects of the light bulb and the implications of the vacuum environment, indicating that multiple competing views remain and the discussion is unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not reached consensus on the temperature dynamics in the vacuum or the implications of the refrigerator's operation. Assumptions about the functioning of the refrigerator and the presence of air are also not fully explored.

njin
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I was asked the following question by a friend and don't know how to help him, or where to even start. I'll admit, I'm a lawyer and its been several years since I've taken a physics class. If anyone can help I'd appreciate it.

There is an 8x8x8 room on the moon; in the room is a refrigerator that is plugged in but I'm not told if it is working or not. However, I presume it is working since there is a 60 watt light bulb in it that is on. There is no air in the room; it is like a vacuum. I was asked to figure out what the temperature of the room is and to figure out as the bulb stays on whether the temp of the room increases or decreases.

Thanks for the help.
 
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I cannot answer your first question, but I believe that heat fluxuation is defined by the accumulative motion or non-motion of particles in the room - therefore I am pretty sure that the area surrounding the lightbulb is subject to the light's acceleration of particles. So, I would think that the temperature would increase, if the light bulb was able to heat in the first place, considering the moon is relatively much colder than the heat necessary to glow a fuse.
 
*waits for physics professor to beat him mercilessly
 
What exactly is the point of attempting to cool a vacuum again? Or, in other words, what exactly is the temperature of a vacuum?

cookiemonster
 
In another recent thread it was discussed how the space shuttle opens the bay doors while in orbit to allow the heat from the electronics to radiate out of the craft to avoid heat buildup.

In this case the bulb would heat the refridgerator walls, and after that heat makes it way past the insulation...

Cliff
 
Wherever the light can reach, the room will be heated by the bulb. Energy is being brought in from somewhere through the plug in the fridge, and radiated out to the room by the bulb. In a vacuum, there is no air to "spread the heat out", so whatever is directly struck by the light will be warmed, but the parts of the room that are in the shade will receive none of this warmth.

Perhaps more important than wether or not the fridge is working; is the door open?
 

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