Is there/what is the unit of cooling?

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    Cooling Unit
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of the 'cooling down speed' of water, focusing on how much heat a certain volume or surface of water emits per second. Participants explore various aspects of heat transfer, including theoretical models and practical scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the unit and formula for the cooling rate of water.
  • Another participant outlines three methods of heat transfer: diffusion, convection, and radiation, suggesting that the applicable method depends on the specific case.
  • Reference is made to Newton's law of cooling, indicating that the cooling rate is influenced by the temperature difference between the water and its surroundings.
  • A participant mentions that cooling capacity is measured in Watts, which relates to the ability of a cooling system to remove heat.
  • Some participants emphasize that water does not have a single rate of cooling; it varies based on environmental conditions, such as being in a vacuum flask versus a fridge or a windy lake.
  • It is noted that the rate of cooling can be positive or negative, depending on whether the body is cooling down or heating up.
  • One participant points out the complexity of the situation, suggesting that many variables affect the cooling rate and encourages further research on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the cooling rate of water is not fixed and depends on various situational factors. However, there are multiple competing views on how to quantify or model this cooling process, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the limitations in providing a definitive answer due to the dependence on specific conditions and the complexity of heat transfer mechanisms.

H2Odrinker
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I want to do a little inquiry involving water, and I need to know what the 'cooling down speed' of water is (how much heat a certain volume or surface of water emits per second). Can anyone tell me if there is a unit and/or formula for this?
 
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Formulas are approximations of models used to understanding physical phenomena.
There are three different ways for heat transfer.
1. by diffusion
2. by current into liquid or gasses.
3. by radiation
On a water system you can use all of them or you can ignore some of these, depends by your case.
 
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You can speak about "Newtons law of cooling" for more information about the rate at which water cools down...
Here the rate of cooling depends upon the temperature difference between the water surface and the surrounding temperature & the nature of the surface...:wink:
 
also...Cooling capacity is the measure of a cooling system's ability to remove heat. SI UNIT: Watts
 
H2Odrinker said:
I want to do a little inquiry involving water, and I need to know what the 'cooling down speed' of water is (how much heat a certain volume or surface of water emits per second). Can anyone tell me if there is a unit and/or formula for this?

What Theo said in post #2

Water doesn't have "one" rate of cooling. It depends entirely on the situation. For example water in a Vacuum flask will stay hot for longer than the same water in a fridge or in a lake with a wind blowing. If the water was placed somewhere hot it might not cool down at all, it might heat up. There are different equations applicable to different situations.
 
CWatters said:
What Theo said in post #2

Water doesn't have "one" rate of cooling. It depends entirely on the situation. For example water in a Vacuum flask will stay hot for longer than the same water in a fridge or in a lake with a wind blowing. If the water was placed somewhere hot it might not cool down at all, it might heat up. There are different equations applicable to different situations.

Well...this this easily satisfies the Newton equation:

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Here a negative rate of change implies body is getting hotter while a positive rate of cooling implies the body is getting cooler.
Thus as CWatters said that it depends on the situation that is the ambient temperature.:cool:
 
As noted, too many variables to provide an answer.

Try googling " how fast does water cool at room temperature"
for insights on those variables...

You can guess a hot flame raises water temp faster than a cooler one.
In general, the greater the difference in temperatures, the faster the cooling...and heating.
 

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