How to build an energy-efficient house

[felipe douglas]

Homework Statement

The windows in your house will all have two panes of glass, separated by a thin layer of gas. It would be much simpler to just glue the two panes of glass together. Why does separating them with a layer of gas improve their thermal insulation?

a. Although the gas has the same thermal conductivity as glass, the additional thickness of the glass-gas-glass sandwich provides better insulation than the glass-glass sandwich would.
b. Gases have much smaller thermal conductivities than glass, so that thin layer of gas is much more effective insulation than the two layers of glass. The gas undergoes convection, but poorly because of the geometry.
c. Although the gas has a larger thermal conductivity than glass, it provides so much extra thickness to the window system that it is still worth including.
d. Heat cannot flow between gas and glass.

Homework Equations

none

The Attempt at a Solution

B? because insulators are used to minimize that transfer of heat energy.
[/B]

 

[gneill]

Hi filipe d.,

Welcome to Physics Forums!

You've marked the thread "Solved", does that mean you are no longer seeking help with your question?

 

[felipe douglas]

Hi filipe d.,

Welcome to Physics Forums!

You've marked the thread "Solved", does that mean you are no longer seeking help with your question?

yes, I was able to solve it!

 

[gneill]

yes, I was able to solve it!

Good for you!

I was just checking because occasionally new members will hit the "solved" button unintentionally, and as it's a sure way to ward off helpers from the thread it can be rather disconcerting for the new members.