Converting between units for thermal conductivities (BTUs involved)

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The thermal conductivity of wood is defined as 1 BTU per hour per square foot for a temperature gradient of 1 F° per inch. To convert this to W/mK, it is essential to utilize the conversion factors: 1 F° = 5/9 C°, 1 inch = 0.0254 m, and 1 foot = 0.3048 m. The discussion emphasizes the need to eliminate the BTU unit using its definition, which is equivalent to a specific number of joules. Clarification on the terminology between degree Fahrenheit (°F) and Fahrenheit degree (F°) is also addressed, confirming they are interchangeable.

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The thermal conductivity of wood is 1 BTU per hour, per square foot, for a temperature gradient of 1 F° per inch. Convert this to units of W/mK, knowing
1 F° = 5/9 C°
1 inch = 0.0254 m
1 foot = 0.3048 m
1 lb = 0.453593 kg
1 kcal = 4184 JI know there are conversions between BTU and joules/calories, but he says looking this up will cost us half of the question. So far all I've concluded (I think) is that the unit we need to convert is
BTU·inch / hr·ft²·F°

But I'm not sure how to get rid of the BTU without knowing a conversion factor... If I can get rid of the BTU I'm sure I'll be able to figure the rest out. Is there a way to do it without knowing anything else, maybe by using the definition of a BTU?
I'm also confused about the difference between a degree Fahrenheit (°F) and a Fahrenheit degree (F°).
 
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I agree that you can use the definition of BTU to find how many joules a BTU is. But are you allowed to use it?

About Fahrenheit, I THINK both are the same.
 
Last edited:

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