Rate of heat loss ramining constant

[copitlory8]

Does the rate of heat loss remain constant during any period. I'm doing a lab on heat loss where I'm comparing the loss of heat in a aluminum soda can with hot water to a aluminum can with hot water covered with insulation material.

 

[rock.freak667]

I believe the only time it will stay constant, is if the change in temperature remains constant with time. Otherwise, it will not be constant.

 

[copitlory8]

what does that mean ?

 

[copitlory8]

could i say at The rate of heat loss cannot be constant because the relationship is not linear but rather exponential.

 

[rock.freak667]

could i say at The rate of heat loss cannot be constant because the relationship is not linear but rather exponential.

Well it depends on how your results say that the heat loss varies with time.

 

[copitlory8]

well my teacher wants me to explain my answer using Newton's law of thermodynamics. Newton's law of cooling, states that the rate of heat loss of a body is proportional to the difference in temperatures between the body and its surroundings.

The law is given as the differential equation:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/d/9/5/d95cef4bc139f44e47996cfaa5b9c25d.png

 

[copitlory8]

so does being proportional mean that the heat loss is constant. i really have no idea how I am going to explain this.

 

[rock.freak667]

so does being proportional mean that the heat loss is constant. i really have no idea how I am going to explain this.

Well it shows that your rate of heat loss is directly proportional to the change in temperature function.

You cannot say from the equation what this function unless your experimental data can be analyzed to find it.

 

[copitlory8]

so can i just say that the rate of heat loss should not have been constant.

 

[rock.freak667]

Yes.