Thermal Technology

1.Use computers and calculators to access, retrieve, organize, process, maintain, interpret, and evaluate data and information in order to communicate. (ITEA, STL 12-P). 2.Document processes and procedures and communicate them to different audiences using appropriate oral and written techniques. (ITEA, STL 12-L) 3.Identify and describe applications of thermal technology in the designed world such as thermometer, refrigerator, furnace, air conditioner, and heat engines. 4.Explain science concepts and mathematical concepts applied in thermal technology such as convection, conduction, radiation, insulation, and efficiency.

Engineering, the systematic application of mathematical, scientific, and technical principles, produces tangible end products that meet our needs and desires.

To familiarize students with the functioning and applications of thermal technology systems by having them analyze the functioning of thermal systems in terms of their common components, basic system design, safety considerations, and simple controls.

Student groups will investigate one of the properties of heat energy using the following apparatus: – cup painted white, cup painted black, graduated cylinder, water, two thermometers, incandescent light (100W lamp), measuring tape or ruler, clock. Students will use the graduated cylinder to measure an equal amount of water into both containers so that they are about half full. Students will measure the temperature of the water in each container and record these temperatures as the temperatures at time zero minutes.

Students will set the light so that it is the same distance from each container. Turn the lamp on and start the timer. After one minute, measure and record the temperature in each container. Continue to measure and record the temperature of each container every minute for ten minutes. Students will use a spreadsheet program to organize their data Students will construct a graph of time vs. temperature for their investigation. Plot the data from each container on the same graph using a different color for each container.

TimeTemp (white cup)Temp (black cup)

Make a graph using Microsoft Excel

1.Which container showed the greater increase in temperature? 2. Which container absorbed more energy and how do you know this? 3. What was the source of heat in this experiment? 4. What were the controlled factors in this experiment? 5. Why was it important to keep these factors the same for both containers? 6. If you were going to use radiant energy from the sun to heat your home, what colors would be best to use? Explain your answer. 7. If the containers used in this experiment were filled with hot water, which one do you think would cool off more slowly? Explain your answer. 8. Describe an experiment that you could do to test your hypothesis. Answer these Questions…..

HOMEWORK Bring in a recycled 3 panel display board from your Science Fair project, or a large flat sheet of cardboard at least 3’ x 4’. You can check with your science teacher to see if they have some left from the science fair.

The technology of producing, storing, controlling, transmitting and getting work from heat energy. Thermal Technology – Example applications: furnace, hot water heater, toaster, insulation, heat exchanger, refrigerator, jet engine, hot air balloon.

A.The universe is made up of matter and energy. B. Matter is made up of atoms and molecules (groupings of atoms) - energy causes the atoms and molecules to always be in motion—either bumping into each other or vibrating back and forth. C. The motion of atoms and molecules creates a form of energy called heat (or thermal energy) that is present in all matter.

D. Thermodynamics is the science dealing with internal energy, heat, and work. E. Even in the coldest voids of space, matter has a very small but still measurable amount of heat energy. F. Energy can take on many forms and can change from one form to another.

G. Many different types of energy can be converted into heat energy: -Light, electrical, mechanical, chemical, nuclear, sound, and thermal energy can each cause a substance to heat up by increasing the speed of its molecules. H. Put energy into a system and it heats up; take energy away and it cools. -(For example, when we are cold, we can jump up and down to get warmer.)

A few examples of various types of energy being converted into thermal energy (heat) including: 1. Mechanical energy is converted into thermal energy whenever you bounce a ball. 2. Electrical energy is converted into thermal energy - electrical stove elements, toasters, hair dryers, or light bulbs. 3. Chemical energy from the foods we eat is converted into heating our bodies. 4. Light from the sun is converted to heat as the sun’s rays warm the earth’s surface.

Heat can be transferred from one place to another by three methods: 1.conduction in solids 2.convection of fluids (liquids or gases) 3.radiation through anything that will allow radiation to pass.

1.Thermal resistance is a measure of an object’s ability to oppose heat transfer. 2.Materials with high thermal resistance are used to insulate an object or a region of space. Walls are often constructed of layers of materials of varying thermal conductivity. (A house wall may consist of a layer of half-inch sheetrock, a layer of three inch thick insulation, and an outer layer of brick four inches thick.)

Calculate the thermal resistance 1/2” - Sheetrock 3” - Insulations 4” - Brick MaterialThermal Conductivity Btu ft2 °F Sheetrock5.2 Insulation0.32 Brick408 The area of the wall is equal to 300 sq ft. Calculate the thermal resistance (R) of each layer, where: R= thickness of material (in) thermal conductivity x area of wall R total =R 1 + R 2 + R 3

R= thickness of material (in) thermal conductivity x area of wall R1=R1= R2=R2= R3=R3= 0.5 in 5.2 x 300 ft 2 h · °F BTU = 3 in.32 x 300 ft 2 = 4 in 4.8 x 300 ft 2 = R total ==R 1 + R 2 + R h · °F BTU h · °F BTU h · °F BTU 0.031

1.Determine which insulating material holds heat the best. a)All material must be 1/2 inch thick. b)Must cover all walls and floor. c)A closed 7 ½”” x 10 1/2” window will be used to allow light to heat the interior for 10 minutes. d)You choose your own colors. 2.Record data and represent it in graph form. Construct a Solar Collecting House

14 inches 12 inch equal lateral triangle sides Window opening will be 7 1/2” x 10 1/2” centered

Something to Consider….

Conducting the experiment: 1.Record the starting temperature of the Solar House. 2.Heat the Solar House for 10 minutes. 3.Record the temperature drop without any lining materials. (this provides a set of data to compare your linings to) 4.Line the Solar House with the material selected and measure the temperature every 30 seconds during the heating and cooling stages. Repeat this process twice and average the results. 5.After the data has been collected, recorded the results on a chart and displayed in a graph.