HEAT TRANSFER 2

THERMAL RADIATION
All object emit thermal radiation. The hotter an object is, the more energy per
second is carried away from it by thermal radiation. Thermal radiation consists of
electromagnetic waves with a range of wavelengths covering the infrared and
visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. When thermal radiation is directed
at a surface,, some of the radiation is absorbed by the surface and some is
reflected. Some of the radiation may pass through the surface and be transmitted
right through the material to pass through the other side. Most materials do not
transmit thermal radiation though, so thermal radiation incident on the surface is
usually reflected or absorbed.
Shiny silvered surfaces are best reflectors, whereas matt black surfaces are very
good absorbers. Surfaces which appear black in daylight do not reflect any light and
so they must absorb all the light which falls on them. Such surfaces are very good
absorbers of thermal radiation as well.
When thermal radiation is absorbed by a surface at constant temperature, the
surface loses energy by some means to balance the energy gained by thermal
radiation. Possible ways of losing energy are by thermal conduction and thermal
convection or by re-radiating the energy. Each way makes a good contribution, but if
the surface is a good absorber of thermal radiation, it will also be a good emitter
and so it will re-radiate as well.
BLACK BODY RADIATION
A black body is a perfect absorber of thermal radiation, able to absorb completely
radiation of any wavelength which falls on it. In other words, an object with surfaces
which absorb thermal radiation of all wavelength is called a black body because it
reflects no light.
An example of a black body radiator is a small whole in the door of a furnace. Any
thermal radiation which enters the hole from outside passes into the furnace and is
absorbed by the walls. But the walls inside the furnace are very hot so the emit
thermal radiation strongly. The inside of the furnace is therefore filled with thermal
radiation passing from wall to wall. Some of this radiation passes out through the
hole. The emitted radiation from the hole contains all wavelengths.
Stars are another example of black body radiators. Light directed at a star will not
be reflected, so a star is a perfect absorber of any thermal radiation directed at it.
Black body radiation from a source at constant temperature contains a continuous
range of wavelengths. The energy carried by the radiation is not distributed evenly
across the wavelength range. Also, the distribution changes if the source
temperature alters. The proportion of energy carried by shorter wavelengths
increases as the source temperature increases. This explains why a piece of steel,
when heated first becomes dull red then orange-red as it becomes hotter.
THE GREEN HOUSE EFFECT

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Another important effect of radiation absorption phenomenon is the greenhouse (or
glass house effect). The glass house effect acts efficiently as a heat trap even when
the sunlight is rather dull. The glass house effect results because:

Very hot bodies such as the sun emits most of their heat radiation in the form
of visible and short length infrared rays.
These rays readily pass through the glass and enter the glass house without
being absorbed.
The soil, plants and other objects in the glass house absorb this radiation and
their temperature is raised. These warm substances in turn emit thermal
radiation of a greater wavelength (long infra-red radiation).
This long wavelength radiation cannot pass through the glass, but is reflected
inwards and goes towards raising the temperature of the air, which also
cannot escape. Thus, the glass house acts as a heat trap.

An extension of this effect occurs when carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acts just
like the glass in the glass house effect, preventing the escape of long infra-red
radiation from the hot earth and is believed to be contributing to the phenomenon
of global warming.

APPLICATION OF TRANSFER OF ENERGY BY CONDUCTION, CONVECTION

AND RADIATION
In everyday life certain devices and appliances which involve heat become
essential. If these are to be efficient in performing the functions for which they were
designed, their design must take into consideration the principles of thermal energy
transfer.
SOLAR HEATERS
The solar water heater, a device that is used to trap the energy transferred by
radiation from the sun, is becoming increasingly popular in the Caribbean. The solar
water heater consists of a metal panel painted dull black on the side that faces the
sun and is usually placed on the roof. The panel contains copper tubes through
which water is passed. Solar radiation falls on the panel, which readily absorbs this,
and becomes hot. This heat is readily conducted through the copper tubes and
warms the water inside. The water is then stored in an insulated storage tank.
VACCUUM OR DEWER FLASK
The vacuum or dewer flask keeps hot liquids hot or cold liquids cold for very long
periods of time. The flask is constructed so as to make it difficult for heat to travel
out of or into the flask. The flask is one such device which takes into account all
three thermal transfer effects. The vacuum flask consists of a double walled glass
vessel having a vacuum between the walls. Both walls are silvered on the vacuum
side. Therefore, no heat can enter or leave the inner flask by conduction or
convection across the vacuum. A certain amount of heat can be gained by the flask
through radiation, but this is reduced to a minimum owing to silvering. In addition,

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there will be a little of heat transmitted by conduction through the thin glass walls
at the neck and through the poorly conducting cork. The sum total of this heat
transfer is very small, so a cold liquid inside remains cold for a very long period of
time. The flask is equally suitable for keeping liquids hot.
ASSIGNMENT- Briefly explain the principles of the soldering gun and
toaster.