Chapter 1: Problem 11
An astronaut is at work in the service bay of a space shuttle and is surrounded by walls that are at \(-100^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). The outer surface of her space suit has an area of \(3 \mathrm{~m}^{2}\) and is aluminized with an emittance of \(0.05\). Calculate her rate of heat loss when the suit's outer temperature is \(0^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). Express your answer in watts and \(\mathrm{kcal} / \mathrm{hr}\).
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand the Problem
Calculate the Heat Loss Using Stefan-Boltzmann Law
Plug in the Values and Calculate Heat Loss in Watts
Simplify the Computation
Convert Watts to kcal/hr
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Stefan-Boltzmann Law
- \(P\) is the power radiated, measured in watts (W).
- \(\varepsilon\) represents the emittance, a measure of how efficiently a surface emits thermal radiation compared to a perfect black body.
- \(\sigma\) is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant \((5.67 \times 10^{-8} \, \text{W/m}^2\,\text{K}^4)\).
- \(A\) is the area of the radiating surface.
- \(T_1\) and \(T_2\) are the absolute temperatures of the object and surroundings in Kelvin.
Emittance
- For instance, the emittance of the space suit in this exercise is 0.05. Such a low value indicates it's designed to reflect most radiation rather than absorbing it, minimizing thermal radiation loss.
- The degree of emittance affects the rate of heat transfer. High emittance means more heat is lost, and vice versa.
- Materials for space gear are typically chosen for their low emittance to efficiently manage thermal conditions.
Temperature Conversion
- To convert Celsius to Kelvin, simply add 273.15 to the Celsius temperature.
- In the exercise, the space suit's temperature is given as \(0^{\circ} \text{C}\), converting to \(273.15\, \text{K}\).
- The surrounding walls are at \(-100^{\circ} \text{C}\), or \(173.15\, \text{K}\).
Space Suit Thermal Management
- The space suit's thermal management involves reflecting incoming solar radiation while minimizing the wearer's heat loss through radiation. This is achieved through materials like aluminized layers that have low emittance.
- Efficient thermal regulation ensures astronauts do not overheat or become too cold when they move in or away from the sun's direct exposure.
- Understanding how space suits manage heat through the principles of radiative heat transfer helps design suits that are safe for all space missions.