A cube at 112 °C radiates heat at a rate of 92 J/s.

A cube at 112 °C radiates heat at a rate of 92 J/s. If its surface temperature is increased to 196 °C, the rate at which it will now radiate is closest to

The Correct Answer and Explanation is:

The rate at which an object radiates heat is governed by the Stefan-Boltzmann law, which states:P=σAT4P = \sigma A T^4P=σAT4

Where:

  • PPP is the power radiated (in watts or joules per second, J/s),
  • σ\sigmaσ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant (5.67×10−8 W/m2K4)(5.67 \times 10^{-8} \, \text{W/m}^2 \text{K}^4)(5.67×10−8W/m2K4),
  • AAA is the surface area of the object,
  • TTT is the absolute temperature in Kelvin (K).

Key Idea:

  • The rate of heat radiation is proportional to the fourth power of the temperature.
  • The temperatures need to be converted into Kelvin before using the Stefan-Boltzmann law.

Given:

  • Initial temperature: T1=112∘C=112+273.15=385.15 KT_1 = 112^\circ C = 112 + 273.15 = 385.15 \, KT1​=112∘C=112+273.15=385.15K
  • Final temperature: T2=196∘C=196+273.15=469.15 KT_2 = 196^\circ C = 196 + 273.15 = 469.15 \, KT2​=196∘C=196+273.15=469.15K
  • Initial power radiated: P1=92 J/sP_1 = 92 \, J/sP1​=92J/s

Step-by-Step Process:

The power radiated is proportional to the fourth power of the temperature:P2P1=(T2T1)4\frac{P_2}{P_1} = \left( \frac{T_2}{T_1} \right)^4P1​P2​​=(T1​T2​​)4

Substitute the known values:P292=(469.15385.15)4\frac{P_2}{92} = \left( \frac{469.15}{385.15} \right)^492P2​​=(385.15469.15​)4

First, calculate the ratio of temperatures:469.15385.15≈1.219\frac{469.15}{385.15} \approx 1.219385.15469.15​≈1.219

Raise this ratio to the fourth power:1.2194≈2.0731.219^4 \approx 2.0731.2194≈2.073

Thus,P2=92×2.073≈190.7 J/sP_2 = 92 \times 2.073 \approx 190.7 \, \text{J/s}P2​=92×2.073≈190.7J/s

Conclusion:

The rate at which the cube will radiate heat when its surface temperature is increased to 196 °C is approximately 191 J/s.

Scroll to Top