What Is the Correct Internal Temperature of a Sealed Box with a Lightbulb?

In summary, a 22cm cubical box made of 1.3cm-thick concrete panels has a 100 W lightbulb sealed inside. The air temperature inside the box when the light is on, given that the surrounding air temperature is 20 C, can be calculated using the rate of heat transfer equation. After factoring in the material characteristics, thickness of the panels, and cross-sectional area, the temperature inside the box is found to be approximately 54 degrees Celsius. However, this answer is incorrect as the cross-sectional area should be calculated as 6 times the area of one side of the cube, giving a much lower temperature inside the box. Therefore, the air temperature inside the box when the light is on is
  • #1
UMDstudent
33
0

Homework Statement



A cubical box 22cm on a side is constructed from 1.3cm -thick concrete panels. A 100 W lightbulb is sealed inside the box. What is the air temperature inside the box when the light is on if the surrounding air temperature is 20 C?

Homework Equations



rate of heat transfer : heat / delta small t = (k*A*delta big T)/ L

Where : k = characterizes the material : (in this case its concrete) : 0.8 W/m K
L = Thickness of the panels : .013m
A = cross-section area = s^2 : (.22m)^2 = .0484

The Attempt at a Solution



100 W = ((0.8)(.22)^2(Tin - 20 C)) / .013m // the 20 C is the Tout

Tin = 53.5754 = 54 Degrees Celsius.

According to Mastering Physics this is the incorrect answer. To me it makes sense, and after reviewing my work, I cant' seem to find the error. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

-UMDstudent
 
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  • #2
A cube has 6 sides.
 
  • #3
Right but its asking for the cross sectional area of a cube. If i use A = s^6 : (.22)^6 = .000113 = very low number. Once this is plugged into the above equation, I get a HUGE number for degrees Celsius which makes no sense.

That HUGE number = 539,019 degrees Celsius.

-UMDstudent
 
  • #4
Why use A=s^6 ?
The total area through which the heat passes is equal to the area of one side of the cube multiplied by 6.
Total area A =6 x 0.22² [and not 1 x 0.22² as you originally calculated]
The rest of your reasoning is fine.
100 = 0.8 x A(Δθ)/0.013

Which will give you a temperature difference 6 times less than the one you originally calculated, with Tin being correspondingly much lower.
 
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FAQ: What Is the Correct Internal Temperature of a Sealed Box with a Lightbulb?

What is heat conduction?

Heat conduction is the transfer of thermal energy (heat) through a material or from one object to another when they are in direct contact. This transfer occurs due to a difference in temperature between the two objects or regions.

How does heat conduction occur?

Heat conduction occurs when the atoms or molecules in a material or object vibrate and collide with each other, transferring kinetic energy and causing the temperature of the material to increase. This process continues until thermal equilibrium is reached.

What factors affect heat conduction?

The rate of heat conduction is affected by several factors, including the thermal conductivity of the material, the temperature difference between the objects, the distance between them, the surface area of contact, and the duration of contact.

What are some examples of heat conduction?

Some examples of heat conduction include touching a hot stove, placing a cold spoon in a hot drink, and heat transfer through the walls of a house. In all of these cases, the heat is being transferred through direct contact between objects.

How is heat conduction different from other forms of heat transfer?

Heat conduction is just one of three ways that heat can be transferred, along with convection and radiation. Unlike convection, which involves the movement of fluids, and radiation, which does not require a medium, heat conduction occurs through direct contact between objects or materials.

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