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Compare the rate of heat conduction through a 13.0-cm-thick wall that has an area of 10.0 m² and a thermal conductivity twice that of glass wool with the rate of heat conduction through a window that is 0.750 cm thick and has an area of 2.00 m², assuming the same temperature difference across each.

a) Wall
b) Window
c) Equal rates
d) None of the above

User Kent
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

To compare the rate of heat conduction through a wall and a window, the formula Q = (k • A • ΔT) / d is used. However, to calculate and compare the rates, we need the thermal conductivity of glass wool. Qualitatively, the thicker wall will conduct heat at a lower rate than the thinner window, but quantitative comparison requires additional information.

Step-by-step explanation:

To compare the rate of heat conduction through two different materials, we use the formula:
Q = (k • A • ΔT) / d, where Q is the heat transfer per unit time, k is thermal conductivity, A is the area through which heat is being transferred, ΔT is the temperature difference across the material, and d is the thickness of the material.

In this case, we are given that the wall has a thermal conductivity twice that of glass wool, but the thickness of glass wool is not provided. Therefore, to proceed with comparing the rate of heat conduction, we would need the value of thermal conductivity for glass wool. Without that, we can qualitatively say that the thicker wall will have a lower rate of heat conduction compared to the thinner window if all other factors are held constant, but to calculate and compare quantitatively, the thermal conductivity of glass wool is essential.

Assuming we had the thermal conductivity (k) for glass wool, we could substitute the given values for each scenario into the formula and compare the resulting rates of heat conduction (Q).

User Brian Fisher
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