Activity 1.3.

3 Thermodynamics
Introduction
Think back to the last time someone complained about a door being left open. What
did you notice about the temperature within the room as a result of the open door? In
Activity 1.3.3 you will investigate the effects of work, thermal energy, and energy on
a system, as in the case of the room with the door left open.

Procedure
Answer the following questions as your teacher discusses the Introduction to
Thermodynamics presentation.
1. Define thermodynamics.
The study of the effects of work, heat flow, and energy on a system
2. List three examples of a thermodynamic system.
a. Convection
b. Conduction
c. Radiation
3. Define thermal energy.
Kinetic energy in transit from one object to another due to temperature difference
4. Define temperature.
Kinetic energy in transit from one object to another due to temperature difference

Scale
Celsius
Fahrenheit

Freezing point of water

0C
32 F

Kelvin
273 K
5. Fill in the table below with the correct scale and unit.

Boiling point of water

100 C
212 F
373 K

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6. Define absolute zero.

When all kinetic energy is removed from a object
7. Define thermal equilibrium.
Obtained when touching objects within a system reach the same temperature.
8. Define the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics.
If two systems are separately found to be in thermal equilibrium with a third system,
the first two systems are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
9. Define the First Law of Thermodynamics.
Law of energy conservation applied to a thermal system

10. List two ways thermal energy can be increased in a system.

a. Adding thermal energy
b. Performing work in a system
11. Define the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
Thermal energy flows from hot to cold
12. Define entropy.
the measure of how evenly distributed heat is within a system
13. Define convection.
The transfer of thermal energy by movement of fluid (liquid or gas)
14. List two examples of convection.
a. boiling water
b. ice melting
15. Define conduction.
The transfer of thermal energy within an object or between objects from molecule to
molecule
16. List two examples of conduction.
a. radiator warms anything placed on it
b. heat from hot liquid makes cup hot
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Conduction Equations:

17. Define the following variables.

Q = Energy Transfer (Joules)
m = mass of the material (Kilograms)
c = specific heat capacity of the material
P = rate of energy transfer (watts)
t = change in time (seconds)
k = thermal conductivity

A = area of thermal conductivity

L = thickness of material
T = difference in temperature

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(1822) A 1.00 kg piece of aluminum metal at 90.0 C is placed in 4.00 liters (= 4.00
kg) of water at 25.0 C. Determine the final temperature (T f).
18. List all known values.
Mass of water= 4kg
specific heat capacity of water=25 C
change in temperature= 1kg
change in temperature=90 C
19. List all unknown values.
Q= energy transferred
Mai=mass of the aluminum metal
20. Select equations.
Q=mXcXAt
Qai=Qwater
21. Apply known values.

22. Solve.

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(2327) The top of a 3/16 inch thick acrylic testing box is covered with an unknown
inch insulation material (black). The dimensions of box are 10 inch x 10 inch on
each side. The sides and are wrapped with a control insulting material (blue) so that
the almost all heat loss is through the 10 inch x 10 inch unknown insulating material
on the top of the box (assume no heat is lost from the bottom or sides of the box).
Determine the thermal conductivity for the insulating material if a 25 W bulb is used
to heat the box. You may assume the only heat loss from the box occurs through the
10 x 10 test area. The bulb maintains the inside temperature at 10 C higher than the
outside temperature.

23. List all known values.

Area of thermal conductivity= 10x10 inch box
Thermal conductivity= 25 Watt
Thickness of material= 1/2 inch
Difference in temperature=10 C
Change in time=
24. List all unknown values.
P =Rate of energy transfer
Q=Energy transfer
Change in time
25. Select equations.
P=Q/At
P=kAxAt/L
26. Apply known values.

27. Solve.

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28. Define U-value.

The measure of a materials ability to conduct heat
29. Define R-value.
The measure of a materials ability to resist heat
(3031) Use the provided R-value chart and the illustration below to calculate the Rvalue of the wall cavity and the R-value at the stud location.

30. Wall cavity R-value

11.26
31. R-value at stud location
12.64

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32. Define radiation.

The process by which energy is transmitted through a medium, including empty
space, as electromagnetic waves
33. List two examples of radiation.
a. X-ray
b. heating tin can with Bunsen burner and putting it in water
34. Define Stefans Law.
All objects lose and gain thermal energy by electromagnetic radiation
(3539) A student travels on a school bus in the middle of winter from home to
school. The school bus temperature is 58.0 F. The students skin temperature is
91.4 F. Determine the net energy transfer from the students body during the 20.00
min ride to school due to electromagnetic radiation. Note: Skin emissivity is 0.90,
and the surface area of the student is 1.50 m 2.
35. List all known values.
Area= 1.50 m2
Emissivity constant= .90
Stefans constant=5.6696X10-8 W/m2xk4
Bedroom temperature=58 F
Skin temperature=91.4 F
Change in time= 20 min
36. List all unknown values.
P=rate of energy transfer
Q=Energy transfer
37. Select equations.
Pnet=oAe(T2,4-T1,4)
Q=PXAt

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38. Apply known values to equations.

39. Solve.
40. Define geothermal energy.
Energy generated from the thermal energy stored beneath the Earths surface
Also refers to the heat that is collected from the atmosphere; for instance, near the
oceans

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R-Value Chart
Construction Material
in. Drywall
5/8 in. Drywall
Particle Board in.
Particle Board in.
Fiberboard in.
Extruded Polystyrene 1 in.
Extruded Polystyrene 1 in.
Foil-faced Polyisocyanurate 1 in.
2x4
2x6
Hardwood

R-Value
0.45
0.56
0.63
0.94
1.32
4.00
6.00
7.20
4.38
6.88
0.90

Masonry Systems
Brick 4 in. common
Brick 4 in. face
Concrete Block Normal wt. 12 in. empty core
Concrete Block Light wt. 12 in. empty core
Cement Mortar
Sand and Gravel
Stucco
Roofing
Asphalt Roll
Asphalt Shingle
Slate
Wood

R-Value
0.80
0.44
1.23
2.602.30
0.20
0.60
0.20
R-Value
0.15
0.44
0.05
0.94

Siding
Wood Shingles
Wood Drop
Wood Bevel Lapped
Aluminum/Steel Hollow
Aluminum/Steel with 3/8 in. Backer
Insulation
Fiberglass Batt
Blankets Rock Wool
Loose Fill Cellulose
Loose Fill Fiberglass 0.7 lb/cu.ft
Loose Fill Rock Wool
Loose Fill Vermiculite
Extruded Polystyrene

R-Value
0.87
0.79
0.80
0.61
1.82
R-Value per in.
3.142
3.03.8
2.83.7
2.24.0
3.1
2.2
4.00

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