Does the spring constant of rubber affect the rate at which it cools?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential relationship between the spring constant of rubber and its rate of cooling, specifically questioning whether there is a formula or proven relationship between these two properties. Participants explore the theoretical implications and relevance of investigating this connection.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if the spring constant of rubber affects its cooling rate and seeks any established formulas or relationships.
  • Another participant argues that there is no expected dependence between the spring constant and the cooling rate, suggesting that both may correlate with rubber's density but not due to a physical relationship.
  • A participant acknowledges the limited definition of the spring constant for rubber and asks if there are other variables more closely related to it that could be investigated.
  • It is noted that the 'k' in Newton's cooling equation and the spring constant are coincidentally represented by the same letter, with no established relationship between the two properties.
  • One participant speculates that the elastic behavior and thermal properties of rubber might be related at the molecular level, particularly regarding the behavior of long-chain molecules, but expresses uncertainty about existing studies on this topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are multiple competing views regarding the relationship between the spring constant and the cooling rate of rubber. Some participants express skepticism about any connection, while others propose speculative links based on molecular behavior.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the ambiguity in defining the spring constant for rubber and the potential influence of other variables, such as density and molecular structure, on both elastic and thermal properties. There is also a lack of clarity regarding existing research on the topic.

namitakn
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Does the spring constant of a piece of rubber affect its rate of cooling constant 'k' ?

1) Is there any formula, any proven relationship?

2) If there isn't, would investigating it make any sense? Or would it end up being a waste of time as the two variables are totally unrelated?
Is there a possibility of a relationship between the two.

3)I am not sure, but when I asked this to someone, I was told to read something about hysteresis (don't know if I spelt it right!). What is it? I couldn't understand anything I read about it? And could it possibly answer my question?
 
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I don't see any reason to expect any dependence. Both might be correlated with the density of rubber, but that is like asking for a correlation with the market price... sure, you will find some, but not because of a physical relation. In addition, spring constants for rubber are not well-defined, and a material property, whereas k depends on the shape and size of your material.
 
Okay, so ...

yes, I know that the spring constant for a piece rubber is defined only over a very small range, it reaches elastic limit very soon. Therefore, the original s.constant will be considered.

Is there any other variable that has a closer connection with spring constant that I could investigate?
 
The k factor in the Newton cooling equation and k factor denoting spring constant are coincidentally using the same letter for representation. As far as I know, there is no relationship between the two properties. Like most formulas, one can use different letters to represent different quantities, as long as it is understood which quantity goes with which letter.
 
It seems a plausible speculation (at least to somebody like me who knows a bit about continuum mechanics and heat transfer but nothing much about chemistry) that the elastic behavior and thermal properties of rubber would both be related to its behaviour at the molecular level, i.e. the way the long chain molecules "uncoil", and/or are intertwined with each other.

But I have no idea whether this has already been studied, or what the conclusions were if it has been studied.
 

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