How can I calculate the cooling time for a ball of iron?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the cooling time for a ball of iron using principles of thermodynamics. The iron ball, with a volume of ##V=\frac{4 \pi 0.01^3}{3}## and a density of ##\rho_{iron} = 7870 kg/m^3##, heats to 1073 K and cools to 1063 K. Participants highlight that Newton's law of cooling is not applicable in a vacuum, prompting a shift to using the Stefan-Boltzmann law for calculating heat transfer. The solution involves determining the heat required to lower the temperature by 10 K and applying the Stefan-Boltzmann law to find the cooling time.

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  • Understanding of thermodynamics principles, specifically heat transfer.
  • Familiarity with Newton's law of cooling.
  • Knowledge of the Stefan-Boltzmann law for black body radiation.
  • Basic calculus for solving differential equations.
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  • Study the Stefan-Boltzmann law and its applications in heat transfer.
  • Learn about heat transfer mechanisms in a vacuum.
  • Explore differential equations related to cooling processes.
  • Investigate the properties of black bodies in thermal radiation.
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Students in physics or engineering, thermodynamics enthusiasts, and anyone interested in heat transfer calculations in vacuum conditions.

alivedude
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Homework Statement



A boll of iron with the volume ##V=\frac{4 \pi 0.01^3}{3}## heats up to 1073 K in a chamber with vacuum, how long will it take until the iron is at 1063 K? The given data is this:
##\rho_{iron} = 7870 kg/m^3##
specific heat.. ##c_i = 0.5 \cdot 10^3 J/(kg \cdot K)##

Homework Equations


Newtons law of cooling: ##T(t)=(T_1-T_0)e^{-\frac{k}{c}t}+T_0##

The Attempt at a Solution



Im stuck with that ##k## in the exponential. I know how to use the differential equation but i can't solve for ##t## as long as i have that unknown ##k## there, right? Can I approximate it or something?

Can I do something else? Since they give me the volume and density I'm thinking that maybe i should go with some other approach?
 
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Newton's law of cooling does not apply in a vacuum. How does energy transfer happen in a vacuum?
 
mfb said:
Newton's law of cooling does not apply in a vacuum. How does energy transfer happen in a vacuum?

Ofc, don't know what I was thinking. But hey, then I could just calculate the amount of heat needed to lower the temp. by 10 K and then use Stefan Boltzmanns law to solve for ##dt## right? Can I approximate it for a black body?
 
The problem is solved! :)
 
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