Refrigerator power rating and heat absorption

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a refrigerator with a power rating of 370 W, focusing on the maximum heat absorption from the food compartment over a specified time. The context includes temperature differences between the food compartment and the surrounding environment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the relationship between power, work, and heat transfer in refrigerators, questioning the relevance of certain equations and how to apply them. Some participants discuss the coefficient of performance (COP) and its relation to the temperatures involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the COP formula, but there is no explicit consensus on the application of the equations or the definitions involved.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes a lack of explanation in their textbook regarding the problem-solving process for refrigerators, which may affect their understanding of the concepts involved.

nrweis
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Homework Statement



A refrigerator is rated at 370 W. What is the maximum amount of heat it can absorb from the food compartment in 1 minute if the food compartment temperature is 0 deg C and it releases heat into a room at 20 degrees C.

Homework Equations



COP=Qc/W

W=Qh-Qc

The Attempt at a Solution



Now I have several questions about this one because my book does not expain at all how to do a problem like this. First of all I know that 370 W means 370 J/s but does that mean that all of that 370 Joules of energy is turned into work in trying to move heat from the cold reservoir to the hot reservoir? Also the only equations that I know are the ones listed above but I'm not even sure tht the second one is relevant because it is for heat engines not refrigerators. The book doesn't give a second equation for refrigerators. So how do I relate the temperatures of the different reservoirs to the Qh and Qc because this was not discussed either?

Pleeeeeeeeease help!
 
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This might help

COP=\frac{T_H}{T_H - T_C}

TH is the temp of the ambient surrounding
TC is the temp of the fridge.
 
Oh yes thank you
 
is W equal to the power rating?
 
I'd believe so,yes.
 

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