Undergrad Linear attenuation coefficient

[Anupama]

Is linear attenuation coefficient a constant for a given material or will it depend on the thickness of the material?

 

[Gene Naden]

It is "per unit thickness." To me, that implies that it is independent of the thickness of the material.

 

[CWatters]

-1

"per unit thickness" usually means the attenuation per meter, or per foot of thickness depending on the units.

You have to scale it to the actual thickness you are using.

So for example if you had insulation rated at 1W per degree C per square meter per unit thickness but you were only using a sheet 0.1m thick, then the loss would be 10W per degree C per square meter.

 

[gleem]

Attenuation of what?

 

[ChrisVer]

So for example if you had insulation rated at 1W per degree C per square meter per unit thickness but you were only using a sheet 0.1m thick, then the loss would be 10W per degree C per square meter.

you mean 0.1W ?

 

[CWatters]

you mean 0.1W ?

No. The thinner the insulation the more power leaks through it. If 1W leaks through a unit thickness (1m) then ten times as much (10W) leaks through a 0.1m thick layer.