Mammal Insulation. Animals in cold climates often depend | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics

Chapter 17 Problem 17.104

Question

Mammal Insulation. Animals in cold climates often depend on two layers of insulation: a layer of body fat (of thermal conductivity surrounded by a layer of air trapped inside fur or down. We can model a black bear (Ursus americanus) as a sphere 1.5 m in diameter having a layer of fat 4.0 cm thick. (Actually, the thickness varies with the season, but we are interested in hibernation, when the fat layer is thickest.) In studies of bear hibernation, it was found that the outer surface layer of the fur is at 2.7C during hibernation, while the inner surface of the fat layer is at 31.0C. (a) What is the temperature at the fatinner fur boundary? (b) How thick should the air layer (contained within the fur) be so that the bear loses heat at a rate of 50.0 W?

Solution

Step 1 of 6)

The first step in solving 17 problem number 104 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: Mammal Insulation. Animals in cold climates often depend on two layers of insulation: a layer of body fat (of thermal conductivity surrounded by a layer of air trapped inside fur or down. We can model a black bear (Ursus americanus) as a sphere 1.5 m in diameter having a layer of fat 4.0 cm thick. (Actually, the thickness varies with the season, but we are interested in hibernation, when the fat layer is thickest.) In studies of bear hibernation, it was found that the outer surface layer of the fur is at 2.7C during hibernation, while the inner surface of the fat layer is at 31.0C. (a) What is the temperature at the fatinner fur boundary? (b) How thick should the air layer (contained within the fur) be so that the bear loses heat at a rate of 50.0 W?
From the textbook chapter Temperature and Heat you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.

Step 2 of 7)

Visible to paid subscribers only

Step 3 of 7)

Visible to paid subscribers only

Subscribe to view the
full solution

Title Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics 13 
Author Hugh D. Young; Roger A. Freedman; A. Lewis Ford
ISBN 9780321696861

Mammal Insulation. Animals in cold climates often depend

Chapter 17 textbook questions

×

Login

Organize all study tools for free

Or continue with
×

Register

Sign up for access to all content on our site!

Or continue with

Or login if you already have an account

×

Reset password

If you have an active account we’ll send you an e-mail for password recovery

Or login if you have your password back