BIO Mammal Insulation. Animals in cold climates often | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for University Physics

Chapter 17 Problem 104P

Question

BIO Mammal Insulation. Animals in cold climates often depend on ?two layers of insulation: a layer of body fat (of thermal conductivity 0.20 W/m ? K) 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 2.7°C during hibernation, while the inner surface of the fat layer is at 31.0°C. (a) What is the temperature at the fat–inner fur boundary so that the bear loses heat at a rate of 50.0 W? (b) How thick should the air layer (contained within the fur) be?

Solution

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The first step in solving 17 problem number 132 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: BIO Mammal Insulation. Animals in cold climates often depend on ?two layers of insulation: a layer of body fat (of thermal conductivity 0.20 W/m ? K) 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 2.7°C during hibernation, while the inner surface of the fat layer is at 31.0°C. (a) What is the temperature at the fat–inner fur boundary so that the bear loses heat at a rate of 50.0 W? (b) How thick should the air layer (contained within the fur) be?
From the textbook chapter Temperature and Heat you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.

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full solution

Title University Physics 13 
Author Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
ISBN 9780321675460

BIO Mammal Insulation. Animals in cold climates often

Chapter 17 textbook questions

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