Question

Calculate the rate of heat conduction out of the human body, with a core temperature of 37.0ºC, skin temperature of 34.0ºC, tissue thickness of 1.00 cm, and a surface area of 1.40 m².

a) 31.2 W
b) 43.4 W
c) 55.8 W
d) 67.1 W

Answer 1

Using Fourier's law of thermal conduction and the average thermal conductivity for human tissue, the calculated rate of heat conduction out of the human body is , The rate of heat conduction out of the human body is 31.2 W.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the rate of heat conduction out of the human body, we can use the formula:

Q = kA∆T / d

Where:

• Q is the rate of heat conduction
• k is the thermal conductivity of the material
• A is the surface area
• ∆T is the difference in temperature
• d is the thickness of the tissue

Using the given values, we have:

• k = 0.18 W/(m·K) for human tissues
• A = 1.40 m²
• ∆T = 37.0°C - 34.0°C = 3.0°C
• d = 1.00 cm = 0.01 m

Plugging these values into the formula:

Q = (0.18 W/(m·K)) * (1.40 m²) * (3.0°C) / (0.01 m)

Q = 31.2 W

Therefore, the rate of heat conduction out of the human body is 31.2 W.