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Suppose 150W of heat flows by conduction from the blood capillariesbeneath the skin to the body's surface area of1.5m². If the temperature difference is 0.5degrees C, estimate the average distance of capillaries below theskin surface.

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Final answer:

To estimate the capillary distance, the thermal conductivity is needed along with the given values of heat transfer, area, and temperature difference. Without it, the calculation cannot be completed according to Fourier's law of thermal conduction.

Step-by-step explanation:

To estimate the average distance of capillaries below the skin surface, we use the concept of heat transfer by conduction, characterized by Fourier's law. Given that 150W of heat flows through a surface area of 1.5m² with a temperature difference of 0.5 degrees Celsius, we need the thermal conductivity of the body's tissue to perform calculations. However, this specific question is missing the thermal conductivity value necessary for solving. If the thermal conductivity (k) were given, we could use the equation Q/t = k · A · (ΔT/d), where Q/t is the heat transfer per unit time, A is the area, ΔT is the temperature difference, and d is the distance or thickness, to find the answer.

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