Recent content by Brian Teal

  1. Brian Teal

    Undergrad Does chrome in engine compartments reflect heat onto the engine block?

    Great explanation! Though I am guessing you meant 100kW of power for the engine? Other than that, I can see what you mean (though the wavelength over 7.7 microns and info on the absorption band I only thought of as a "outer space" related issue ;^) Glad to see it "brought down to earth" in this...
  2. Brian Teal

    Undergrad Does chrome in engine compartments reflect heat onto the engine block?

    Arrghhh, my well-thought-out reply didn't post, so here's an abbreviated version... The engine compartment is a semi-closed system for VW bugs, which are air-cooled engines. They have vents coming into bring in fresh air, and then vents leaving to pull the hot air out. However, when in traffic...
  3. Brian Teal

    Undergrad Does chrome in engine compartments reflect heat onto the engine block?

    A HUGE topic of conversation on many car forums, I thought I would bring it here. Many cars have chrome tin in the engine compartments to make them look flashy. However, for decades now, people say the chrome reflects the heat back onto the engine block and to paint the engine compartment black...
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