Calculating Body Heat Loss and Caloric Needs: A Homework Guide

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating body heat loss and caloric needs, specifically focusing on radiative heat loss and thermal expansion in materials. The original poster presents two problems involving heat transfer and thermal expansion, seeking assistance in applying relevant formulas and understanding the concepts involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the Stefan-Boltzmann law for calculating heat loss but expresses uncertainty about the formula's application. They also present a separate problem regarding thermal expansion, questioning the validity of their calculations.

Discussion Status

Participants are encouraging the original poster to share their attempts and reasoning. Some guidance has been offered regarding the formula used for heat loss, with a suggestion to verify the meanings of the symbols involved. The discussion is ongoing, with multiple interpretations and approaches being explored.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions a lack of access to a textbook for reference, which may impact their ability to confirm the formulas and concepts being discussed. Additionally, the problems are framed as extra credit assignments, indicating a potential for exploration beyond standard homework expectations.

Jenn_Lane2001
The average human body has a surface tempreture of 30 degrees Celsius, a skin surface of 1.20m and an emissivity of 1.0.

A. If the surrrounding tempreture is 20 degress Celsuis, the body's net rate of heat loss due to radiation is ________ Watts.

B. How many food calories must be consumed per day to maintain that body tempreture if only radiative heat lossess are considered?________.

Thanks for the help.
 
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Hi Jenn, and welcome to PF.

We are happy to help you with your homework, but we need to see that you have attempted it first. Show us how you started and where you got stuck, and we will assist you through the rough spots. I think you will find that this problem is a straightforward "plug-and-chug" when you locate the formula in your book.

Thanks,
 
Thank you for the reply here goes ...

Well I had a problem finding a forumla for this but I came up with .. P = sigma*A*e[T^4-T0^4]..I was give the tempretures and Area and emissivity. I am not sure if I was able to just plug it in or if I am using the right equation. It might be simple but since I wasnt given a book to solve this I am a little stuck..This was extra credit,to see if we can solve with research. Thank you for the help in advance.
 
Also did I do this other problem correct..?

Segement of 12m-long steel rails are laid end to end when the tempreture is -12 degrees Celsius. A space is left between rails segments to allow for thermal expansion.
A.If they are to just touch when the tempreture is 33 degrees Celsisu the spacing is..____________.
My answer is 5.94*10^-3

I used deltaL = [(11*10^-6)(12)][45]=.00594

Thanks for the help everyone.
 


Originally posted by Jenn_Lane2001
Well I had a problem finding a formula for this but I came up with .. P = sigma*A*e[T^4-T0^4]..I was give the tempretures and Area and emissivity. I am not sure if I was able to just plug it in or if I am using the right equation.


Well, if the symbols take on their usual meaning (check this!), then...

P=power
sigma=Stefan-Bolzmann constant
A=area
e=emissivity
T,T0=temps

then you have the right equation.
 


Originally posted by Jenn_Lane2001
I used deltaL = [(11*10^-6)(12)][45]=.00594

Since I do not know where all those numbers came from, I cannot say.
 

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