Refrigerator- thermodynamics: how do i start?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on applying Newton's Law of Cooling to analyze a heat pump system maintaining a building's temperature. It involves understanding the relationship between the temperatures of the building (TH) and the colder environment (TC), alongside the power consumption (W) of the heat pump. The equation provided illustrates how the building temperature can be expressed in terms of these variables. A participant mentions successfully solving the problem using the coefficient of performance, indicating a practical approach to the thermodynamic principles involved. The conversation highlights the application of thermodynamic concepts in real-world scenarios.
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Homework Statement


Newton’s Law of Cooling.

A building is maintained at temperature TH with a reversible heat pump operating between the building and a colder environment at temperature TC < TH. The heat pump consumes electrical power at a constant rate W. The building also loses heat according to Newton’s law of cooling, that is, at a rate a(TH – TC) where a is constant. Show that the building temperature is maintained at temperature

Homework Equations


TH = TC + dW/dt (1/2a) [1 + sqrt( 1 + 4aTC/(dW/dt) )]

The Attempt at a Solution


Puzzled about how to start
 
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Hi, solved it using the coefficient of performance.
 
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