Thermal conductivity for mountain climber

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the rate of heat flow through a goose down jacket worn by a mountain climber. The thermal conductivity of goose down is established at 0.025 J/(m·K), while that of water is 0.561 W/(m·K). The user attempts to compute the heat flow using the formula φ̇ = KA (ΔT/ΔX) but encounters an error in their calculations, specifically in the application of the distance variable in the formula. The correct approach involves adjusting the heat flow rate based on the jacket's thickness and the thermal conductivities of both materials.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermal conductivity principles
  • Familiarity with the heat conduction equation φ̇ = KA (ΔT/ΔX)
  • Knowledge of unit conversions between J/(m·K) and W/(m·K)
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations and solving for variables
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation and application of the heat conduction equation φ̇ = KA (ΔT/ΔX)
  • Study the impact of material properties on thermal conductivity, focusing on goose down and water
  • Learn about the effects of moisture on insulation performance in outdoor gear
  • Explore advanced topics in thermodynamics related to heat transfer in layered materials
USEFUL FOR

Students studying thermodynamics, outdoor enthusiasts interested in gear performance, and engineers focused on thermal insulation materials.

Vanessa23
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Homework Statement


A mountain climber wears a goose down jacket 3.28 cm thick with total surface area 1.10 m2. The temperature at the surface of the clothing is -19.3°C and at the skin is 36.0°C. Determine the rate of heat flow by conduction through the jacket assuming it is dry and the thermal conductivity, k, is that of down.
Part 2:
Determine the rate of heat flow by conduction through the jacket assuming the jacket is wet, so k is that of water and the jacket has matted down to 0.462 cm thickness.


Homework Equations


thermal conductivity of goose down is .025 J/(mKs)
thermal conductivity of water is .561W/(mKs)

phi dot = KA (delta T/delta X)

K is goose down (.025 j/smk)
A is area
T is temperature
x is distance heat flows

Part 2
The rate of heat flow= (the rate of heat flow you found in
part 1) x (k water/ k goose down) x (thickness of goosedown/
thickness of wet jacket)

The Attempt at a Solution


.025*(.0328*1.10)*(36+19.3/.0328)

I get the rate is 1.52 W, yet it is the wrong answer. If I had that answer I could use it to get part 2 where I would do the following
rate=rate1*(.561/.025)*(.0328/.00462)

Please let me know what I am doing wrong! Thank you!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Why is the distance between the two surfaces in the numerator? Delta_x should be in the bottom.
 
Last edited:

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