What is Thermal: Definition and 1000 Discussions

A thermal column (or thermal) is a column of rising air in the lower altitudes of Earth's atmosphere, a form of atmospheric updraft. Thermals are created by the uneven heating of Earth's surface from solar radiation, and are an example of convection, specifically atmospheric convection. The Sun warms the ground, which in turn warms the air directly above it. A thermal is a rising mass of buoyant air, a convective current in the atmosphere, that transfers heat energy vertically.

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  1. J

    Unable to get the expected result in Electro-thermal-Structural problem

    Good Day, I am working on a problem in which i am coupling "Thermal-Electric" physics with "Transient Structural" in Ansys workbench V 14.5. I am supplying electric energy(Voltage) to a structure which gets heats up due to Joule Thomson effect, and then i connect it's "Solution" to "Setup" tab...
  2. acdurbin953

    Thermal energy density of the milky way

    Homework Statement Interstellar medium is composed of atomic hydrogen at 100 K and number density 2E-7 m-3. Compute the average thermal energy density of the milky way disk. Then find the average magnetic energy density given the magnetic field strength of 3E-10 T. Homework Equations E=3/2 kT...
  3. Pouyan

    Problem with heat capacity of thermal system

    Homework Statement a) a styrofoam cup contains 200g of water at 20 C.What will be the equilibrium temp of the system after 100g of silver,initially at 300 C,has been added?you may assume that the heat capacity of the cup is negligible and that no heat is lost to the surroundings. (b) a further...
  4. mattyboson12

    MATLAB MATLAB, NASAs thermal protection system

    Hi, I am writing program to model the heat flow through different space shuttle tiles. I have got it working using four different methods: Forward differencing, Backward differencing, Crank-Nicolson, DuFort-Frankel and all four methods give me similar results. What are the advantages and...
  5. mattyboson12

    Space shuttle thermal protection tiles

    Hi, I am writing a MATLAB program to model the heat flow through space shuttle tiles. Does anyone know where I can find the thermal conductivity, density and specific heat of the different tiles on a space shuttle?
  6. KingCrimson

    Thermal decomposition of group 1 and 2 nitrates

    Why does the thermal decomposition of group 1 metals, except for lithium, yield a nitrite while that of group 2 metals yield oxides?
  7. A

    Spectrum of a Gas from Thermal Motion

    Hi there, I'm trying to clear up some misconceptions I have about emission spectra from various substances. Most of the discussion about gases focusses on the line emission spectra from a hot, low density gas due to electron shell transitions. But I also know that any charges that are made to...
  8. W

    What Determines the Change in Thermal Energy of a Block Pulled Across a Surface?

    Homework Statement A block of mass M is pulled at constant speed with force F a distance d across a surface. Using the energy principle, what can you say about the change in thermal energy of the block? a)...
  9. J

    Mathematical modelling of Electric-Thermal-Structuralphysics

    Hi i am working on a research paper for which i need very good citation for the analytic analysis coupling Electric - Thermal-Structural physics(via Joule Thomson effect & Thermal stress/strain). Please provide any good source of mathematical relations describing the above complete or in part...
  10. L

    Thermal Radiation: Measurement & Conversion Help

    hallo to all, i use a Radiation Pyrometer to measure temperature and Radiation Trough a datalogger i get those measurements in Volt i am able to convert the Volt back in the temperature but in Radiation it is more difficult i found the Plancksche function, but i do not really understand that...
  11. T

    Thermal Physics: Questions on change of state

    Hello I am trying to learn about the change of state between solids, liquids and gases but I don't understand exactly how it works. I've been reading material given by my school, but I got these two questions to ask because I can't answer them. These are not questions on the sheet they just...
  12. Y

    How Much Air Does a 600W Hair Dryer Circulate Per Second?

    Homework Statement A hair dryer consists of a coil that warms air and a fan that blows the warm air out. The coil generates thermal energy at a rate of 600 W. Take the density of the air to be 1.25 Kg/m^3 and its specific heat capacity to be 990J/Kgk. The dryer takes air from a room at 20C and...
  13. M

    Thermal efficiency of a heat engine

    Homework Statement A possible ideal-gas cycle operates as follows: (i) from an initial state (p1,V1), the gas is cooled at constant pressure to (p1,V2) (ii) the gas is heated at constant volume to (p2,V2) (iii) the gas expands adiabatically back to (p1,V1). Assuming constant heat capacities...
  14. E

    Transfer function - zero in a thermal heater

    Hi I am trying to characterize a microscale resistive heater. In my Bode plot there is decay that is less than -20dB/decade indicating that there is a zero in the system. Anyone having an idea of what physical meaning a zero in a resistive heater has? Thanks.
  15. A

    Using Red Light to Reduce Effect of Ambient Light

    Hello, I have heard many times that red lighting is good for imaging applications where the effect of ambient light needs to be reduced to a minimum. What is the theory behind this? Why does red light (vs. other colors) reduce the effect of ambient light? Thank you.
  16. M

    Thermal energy homework help?

    MODERATOR NOTE: MISPLACED HOMEWORK, SO NO TEMPLATE When filling up the tub for a bath, only the hot water tap was turned on. After realizing the mistake after a minute with half the tub at 60 C, how much cold water (as fraction of the whole tub) at 9 C must be added such that the final...
  17. L

    Better Thermal Insulator for Glass - Neoprene or Silicone?

    I am looking to improve the thermal insulation on one of my favorite glass mugs. I am choosing between a silicone glove or a neoprene wrap. What is the difference between a silicone baking mat and silicone rubber? Does silicone or neoprene have better thermal insulation?
  18. K

    Simulating 1D Thermal Conduction with Vacuum in Comsol 4.4

    Hi, I'm doing a 1D thermal conduction simulation on Comsol Multiphysics 4.4 and my first component is vacuum. I did'nt found the vacuum in the material list. Should I create a new component with a null thermal conductivity ? Thanks
  19. F

    Maxwell distribution in thermal equilibrium

    Homework Statement In thermal equilibrium, the particle in a gas are distributed in velocity space according to the Maxwell distribution f(v) = A*exp(-mv^2/(2KT)) What is the average velocity ? What is the most probable velocity ? Homework Equations <v> = ∫∫∫vf(v)d3v = (0 to infinty)...
  20. R

    Particle Model of Thermal Energy questions

    Homework Statement a) Assume that a substance in a closed container is at thermal equilibrium with about half of its molecules in the gas phase and half of its molecules in the liquid phase. How could you use the Particle Model of Thermal Energy to explain which molecules are moving faster, on...
  21. B

    Designing with Thermal expansion in mind

    Hi, I am trying to design a tubular probe that's made of stainless steel (304), from what I've read it has a Thermal expansion coefficient of around 9.6 x10^-6 in/in/F give or take on the quality. I want to fill this tube halfway with an Epoxy, however from what I've read this epoxy has a...
  22. shyjohn

    PSSSix Chapter 2 - Thermal Physics (sample consult)

    Hi, my name is John and I am working on a textbook called Physics Syllabus Stage Six (PSSSix). I have done a draft of chapter 2, Thermal Physics. Although I have requested if this consultation is suitable for this forum, but yet been replied. This textbook is free (online definitely) or...
  23. G

    *Net* thermal energy exchanged?

    Homework Statement Hello, I have the following problem (an ABCD question): Two objects near each other are at the same temperature. Which of the following statements has to be true? A. The objects have the same internal energy. B. The objects have the same thermal capacity. C. No...
  24. Evanish

    Is magnifying thermal power density possible with decay heat

    Recently there was an interesting thread on physics forum about possible uses of spent nuclear fuel. It seems to me that one of the problems with using decay heath from spent nuclear fuel is the low power density. This got me thinking that maybe with enough insulation the low quality heat...
  25. A

    The peak of the thermal radiation power spectrum (dR/dλ)

    Homework Statement The peak of the thermal radiation power spectrum (dR/dλ) is at a wacelength of about λm=hc/5kT. Why is the peak of the same power spectrum plotted as dR/df not at fm=c/λm= 5kT/h? Homework Equations dR/dλ= 2πhc2/(λ5(e(hc/λkT)-1)) f=c/λ The Attempt at a Solution
  26. Tadhgrrr

    Thermal expansion: the amount of material expanding is "irrelevant"?

    Hello everyone! First time asking a question here, go easy on me! I am a first year Mech-Eng student in Ireland, and I need some guidance from one of the amazing brains here at physicsforums. I am told by my thermofluids lecturer that in thermal expansion, the amount of material expanding is...
  27. Venerable R

    Max Distance from which a python detects infrared radiation

    Homework Statement A python can detect thermal radiation with intensity greater than .60 W/m2. A typical human body has a surface area of 1.8 m2, a surface temperature of 30°C, and an emissivity e=0.97 at infrared wavelengths. What is the maximum distance from which a python can detect your...
  28. AngelLestat

    Thermal transfer estimation (to simulate a game)

    I am trying to get a formula to estimate the heat lose in an airship. Is a mod for KSP, things that have into account: pressure, wind speed, temperature, air viscosity, thermal capacity of the atmosphere, gravity, etc. There are things that can be ignored as shape (or just use constant...
  29. H

    How to calculate thermal radiation intensity without surfaces?

    Imagine there is a semi-infinite semi-transparent body--such as a glass--at some temperature T. No surfaces exist. What is the energy intensity of thermally emitted light from any point in the body? If you use an absorption or emission coefficient (as I suspect is correct), can you explain how...
  30. E

    Kittel Thermal Physics Chapter 2 problem 6

    Homework Statement For the example that two spin systems in thermal contact and attain equilibrium, the product of the original multiplicity function will be the new total multiplicity function, Now, we want to find the probability of the system to be slightly deviated from the equilibrium...
  31. C

    Thermal Physics: Energy change due to compression

    This is not a homework problem but rather a passage from my textbook that I don't understand. I don't think I quite understand the concept of reversible processes. Here is the passage from my book: "Consider a system in the quantum state s of energy Es. We assume Es to be a function of the...
  32. C

    Thermal Physics -- Change of energy from compression

    Homework Statement This is not a homework problem but rather a passage from my textbook that I don't understand. I don't think I quite understand the concept of reversible processes. Here is the passage from my book: "Consider a system in the quantum state s of energy Es. We assume Es to be a...
  33. G

    Iron Bar Thermal Radiation Calculation

    Homework Statement Energy can be transmitted via radiation, the rate at which this happens is H=σAT4. A bar of iron is 0.5m long, 0.2m wide and 0.2m high. Iron has a density of 7900 kg/m3, a heat capacity of 400J/kgC, and a coefficent of linear expansion of 1.2x10-5 What is the rate at which...
  34. T

    Thermal transmittance question

    I am looking Kaowool Thermal insulation for a project. It looks like the values presented are @2000 F, 1.28 BTU, .20 w/m*k I was wondering if someone could help me to figure out what the "output" heat would be at 2000 F. For example: If I have an aluminum rod sitting over a fire burning at...
  35. T

    Thermal regulation/materials?

    Looking for some help here. If I have two objects, (1) a heat source that, let's say can get up to 1500 degrees, and (2) a simple metallic object, and let's say the object and heat source are relatively close to each other. Object number (2) has a small metallic probe that goes into the heat...
  36. P

    Exploring Methods and Efficiency of Harvesting Thermal Energy

    hello is there a good article or reference to outline the available methods to harvest ambient or solid thermal energy and their efficiency and limitations? thanks!
  37. H

    Thermal energy intensity per unit volume

    I am trying to figure out what the total thermal energy emitted by completely transparent matter. It seems Planck's law can't do this because the thickness or geometry of the mass is not given, only it's surface area. The spectral radiance of a black body is given by Planck's law...
  38. R

    Thermal fatigue for heat exchanger cycle test comparison

    I have a heat exchanger with water/air as medium and we test it in a facility where we cycle the water temperature between 25 to 95 degrees Celcius with a cycle time of 5 minutes for thermal fatigue. Our customer require the testing to be between 5 to 95 degrees instead with 3 minute long...
  39. UsamaHameed

    Thermal Stress Analysis in a barrel of a T-80 tank

    Homework Statement I need to find thermal stresses that will be produced in a tank barrel as a result of firing. First of all, I want to know if theses stresses can be small enough to be neglected? And if not, then how can they be calculated? I basically know the solution but I want to be sure...
  40. Shindo

    Question on thermal equilibrium?

    So I'm not too sure about the answer to this question: explain why it is advisable to add water to an overheated automobile engine only slowly, and only with the engine running? So if something is overheating, it makes sense to want to cool it. Since the water's temperature is less than that...
  41. N

    Thermal Expansion of aluminium

    Hi, The coefficient of thermal expansion for aluminium is 23ppm/C at 20C = 0.000023m per degree in temperature (C). Is this temperature: (1) the temperature of the air circulating around the material in the sun, (2) the temperature in the shade at that time of the day, or (3) the tactile...
  42. P

    Thermal conductivity and heat capacity

    Using kinetic theory, we can derive an expression for the thermal conductivity of a gas to be κ=nCmoleculeλ<v>/3 where n is the number density of the molecules in the gas, Cmolecule is the heat capacity of a single molcule (i.e the heat that must be given to each molecule to raise the...
  43. B

    BioPhysics with Thermal Energy

    A microtubule is 100 microns long. Take the young modulus as 1 GPa and the microtubule as a hollow cylinder with outer diameter of 12.5 nm and thickness 2.5nm. a) If one end of the microtubule is clamped down, and is the other end is free to wobble. Estimate the work that must be done to...
  44. M

    Starlite and thermal barrier fun

    Hello everyone, First up, I know nothing about physics or chemistry. That out of the way, let's begin. I recently read about a very interesting material called Starlite which is supposedly a remarkable thermal barrier but is presumed lost to the world because the inventor kept the formula...
  45. nmsurobert

    Thermal Equilibrium: Why Does Car Get Hotter Inside?

    So you take some boiling water and drop a metal cube into it and the cube will reach the temp of the water. Or you leave some hot water out on a desk and the water will eventually become room temperature, right? Then why, in the summer time, does the inside of the car get way hotter than the...
  46. UsamaHameed

    Thermal Stresses in the barrel of a tank

    I want to calculate the thermal stresses in the barrel of a tank. The barrel is smooth bore, auto-frettaged and chrome-platted. I want to know if the thermal stresses are small enough to be neglected and if not, then how can I find them? Relevant Equation: Thermal Stress= modulus * coefficient...
  47. N

    Schroeder: Intro to thermal physics, Diff. between editions?

    Hi, I'm facing a slight problem with getting a good version of the Schroeder: Introduction to thermal physics. According to my lecturer the newest 2013 international edition by Pearson (ISBN: 9781292026213) is not recommended, as it lacks some aspects. And anyway the course is built around the...
  48. Nathanael

    Linear coefficient of thermal expansion

    The "coefficient of linear expansion" (≡k) was defined in my book by the following relationship: ##\Delta L=Lk\Delta T## Where L is length and T is temperature I'm wondering, is this just an approximation? Because, if you were to increase the temperature by \Delta T and then calculate the new...
  49. M

    Spherical bubble rises to surface, Ideal Gas, Thermal Energy

    Homework Statement A spherical air bubble in a lake expands as it rises slowly to the surface. At the point it starts to rise, the pressure is 2.00 atm, the temperature of the water is 10.0 ∘C, and the radius of the bubble is 5.00 × 10^−3 m. At the surface, the pressure is 1.00 atm and the...
  50. W

    Poisson's ratio for a rigid rod

    I have a conceptual misunderstanding it seems. Poisson's ratio is the ratio of elastic strain deformation of the transverse and longitudinal components. That being said, if I were to induce thermal stress (heating up) to a rod by keeping its ends (longitudinal component) rigid, would there be a...
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