Wondering about how heat from light will travel

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    Heat Light Travel
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the thermal properties of different colored materials and their effects on heat absorption and transfer, particularly in the context of two glass jars—one dark and one clear—containing water and metal objects. Participants explore how these properties influence temperature changes in the water and the surrounding environment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the dark glass will absorb more heat than the clear glass, but questions how much heat will be transferred to the water versus the surrounding air.
  • Another participant posits that the clear jar, containing black metal pieces, may lead to a greater temperature increase in the water due to the metal's heat absorption properties.
  • A different viewpoint indicates that the size of the black metal pieces could affect heat transfer, suggesting that smaller pieces may lead to more heat being conducted into the water from the dark jar compared to the clear jar.
  • There is a mention of practical applications, such as the choice between clear and tinted glass in buildings or cars, raising questions about where energy accumulates in each case.
  • One participant questions whether the ability of the jars to allow light to pass through affects heat dispersion, indicating a need for further exploration of light's role in heating.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on which jar will result in a higher temperature increase for the water, with no consensus reached. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific conditions under which each jar might perform better.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge factors such as the size of the metal pieces and the specific properties of the glass that may influence heat absorption and transfer, but these aspects remain underexplored and not fully resolved.

Thundagere
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Let's say you take two metal objects, one black and one white. Out in the sun, the black will reach higher temperature in a given period of time.

Now, let's say I take two glass jars. One is of DARK glass (like, an apple cider or wine bottle), and one is clear. In the clear one, I place several black pieces of metal, in the dark one, nothing. Then, I place something like water inside both containers.
Which given amount of water will reach a higher temperature? The dark bottle will clearly absorb more than the clear one, but some of that heat will travel to the water. The rest will travel to the surrounding air. On the other hand, if one takes the clear container, the metal objects will absorb a large amount of heat and heat the water, and less will be dispersed to the atmosphere. Which method supplies the most heat to the water?
 
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Thundagere said:
Let's say you take two metal objects, one black and one white. Out in the sun, the black will reach higher temperature in a given period of time.

Now, let's say I take two glass jars. One is of DARK glass (like, an apple cider or wine bottle), and one is clear. In the clear one, I place several black pieces of metal, in the dark one, nothing. Then, I place something like water inside both containers.
Which given amount of water will reach a higher temperature? The dark bottle will clearly absorb more than the clear one, but some of that heat will travel to the water. The rest will travel to the surrounding air. On the other hand, if one takes the clear container, the metal objects will absorb a large amount of heat and heat the water, and less will be dispersed to the atmosphere. Which method supplies the most heat to the water?
If you want to keep a building or car cool, do you put in clear glass or tinted glass?

In the case of tinted glass, where does the bulk of the energy from the sunlight accumulate?
In the case of clear glass, where does the bulk of the energy from the sunlight accumulate?
 
Last edited:
So the clear one would result in a greater temperature increase?

On the other hand, the jars provide a larger target than the inner receptacle.

But since the jars allow light straight through, does that make a difference? I mean, the light needs something to focus off of to disperse any relevant heat...
 
The clear glass/bottle would obiously collect a bit more heat, as DaveC426913 said do you put tinted or clear glass in your car? but other than that he provided your answer
 
Well ... actually it depends on the sizes of the black metal pieces. If they are too small then the dark jar will collect more heat and conduct into the water inside than the dark metal pieces will collect and conduct into the water in the clear jar.
 

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