Physics 333 Problem Set #2 (Extra Practice)

Practice Question 1 – Radiative losses through the windows.

In the homework Problem Set I asked you to

calculate heat losses from your home through
walls and windows using R-values – apparent
thermal resistances that account for both
conduction and radiative losses. Let us now
calculate the amount of heat lost only due to
radiation. We know that most of radiation
leaks through the windows (we can see it in
infrared images of the buildings).

a) What is the rate of heat lost through direct radiation (i.e., without conduction)
through the windows at your home? Use the same parameters of the building
as in Q2 from Problem Set 2.

b) Compare your answer for radiative losses with your answer to Q2 from
Problem Set 2, which accounts for (i) radiative losses through walls and
windows, and (ii) conduction losses through walls and windows. Which
fraction of total conduction + radiation loss did you get in part a)? How this
can be?
Practice Question 2 - Since The Beginning of Time

“Since the beginning of time man has yearned to destroy the sun.

I will do the next best thing...block it out!”

And with those famous words Mr. Burns cast Springfield into darkness.

Assume that the shield effectively raises the albedo of the city by 0.5, and that the
city of Springfield has an area of 50 km2.

Based on the change in albedo, how many tonnes of yearly CO2 emissions is Mr.
Burns offsetting by keeping the shield up? In the next module we’ll talk about the
CO2 impact of Mr. Burn’s nuclear power plant.