Scientific analysis -- How many seconds does it take for the paper to burn?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around estimating the time it takes for paper to ignite when using a lens to focus sunlight. Participants explore the necessary parameters and equations involved in calculating this time, including the solar constant, specific heat of paper, and various thermodynamic factors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions an estimate of sixty seconds for paper to start burning using a lens with a diameter of 5 centimeters and provides the solar constant as 1362 watts per square meter.
  • Another participant points out the need for the autoignition temperature of paper to complete the analysis.
  • A different participant argues that the equations provided are not suitable for external heating with a lens and emphasizes the importance of a radiation balance, noting that additional parameters such as reaction order, enthalpy of reaction, and activation energy are missing.
  • Further, a participant introduces the Z factor from Eyring's equation, providing its definition and the constants involved, suggesting its relevance to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriate equations and parameters needed for the analysis, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a consensus on the correct approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight missing assumptions and parameters necessary for a complete analysis, such as the autoignition temperature and specific reaction kinetics, which remain unresolved.

Carlos_Ishigami07
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TL;DR
How many seconds does it take for the paper to burn?
I have a problem: in the same anime I saw that Senku estimated the time to start burning the paper in sixty seconds, one minute and with a lens.
The data is as follows:
The lens he used has a diameter of 5 centimeters.
The solar constant, assuming it is the same as 3700 years ago, is 1362 watts per square meter.
The radiation index, or convection heat without wind, is zero.
The specific heat of paper is 1300 J / (kg * K)
The density of the paper is 900 kilograms per cubic meter.
These are the key equations:
Tex2Img_1612893302.jpg

Tex2Img_1612892724.jpg
 
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What is missing is the autoignition temperature for paper.
 
Carlos_Ishigami07 said:
These are the key equations:
View attachment 277672
View attachment 277673

No, these are not the key equations. For external heating with a lense you reather need the radiation balance. The equations above might be helpful for autoignition without additional heating. But even than there are a lot of parameters missing, e.g. the reaction order ##n##, the enthalpy of reaction ##\Delta H_r## and the activation energy ##E##. The pre-exponential factor (with the symbol ##Z## in the parallel thread) is not even included into the equation above.
 
The Z factor en the Eyring's equation is: ##Z = \frac{k_{B}T}{h}##
##k_{B}##: Boltzmann's constant ##1.38\times10^{-23} J/K##
##h##: Planck's constant ##6.62\times10^{-34} J\cdot s##
T: Absolute temperature in Kelvin
 
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