Vacuum is NOT air!!

Superwhite paint can cool buildings even in hot sunlight | New Scientist

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2257749-superwhite-paint-can-cool-buildings-even-in-hot-sunlight/

Black is a good emitter of infrared radiation

In theory, we have learned that

Dull (matt/rough) and black surface is a good emitter and good absorber of infrared radiation.

In this simple demonstration, the container sides are painted white matt, silver smooth and black matt.

Hot water is poured into the container and the thermal energy is conducted to the whole container. The temperature of the container is more or less uniform.

Using a infrared thermometer, we measure the temperature of the different surfaces.

From this simple demonstration, we can conclude that dull black surface is the best emitter of infrared radiation and smooth silver surface is the worst emitter of infrared radiation.

 

Radiometer – Thermal Transfer

Radiometer is a device for measuring the amount of infrared radiation. It consists of freely pivoted rotor with four vanes perpendicular to one another. The vane surface is painted alternate black and silver. The rotor is enclosed in a partial vacuum glass bulb.

In general, when exposed to infrared radiation, the rotor will spin. The greater the amount of radiation, the faster the rotor spins.

The actual working principle is actually much more complicated. Refer to the videos below for detailed explanation.

For our context in O-level, we can briefly explained based on what we learned. As the vanes of the rotor are exposed to infrared radiation, the black side of the vane absorbs more radiation as it is a good absorber of radiation and hence its at higher temperature. The silver side reflects the radiation. The air molecules at the black side will get heated up and gain more kinetic energy. Hence rate of collision is higher and the air molecules collide on the black side with more force than the silver side. This results in a net force on the black surface and the rotor spins in a specific direction as shown in the video.

The more complicated theory how radiometer works

 

Processes for Transfer of Thermal Energy

Three processes of thermal transfer: conduction, convection and radiation.

Conduction vs Convection:

Similarity:

• both requires a medium for thermal transfer to take place.

Differences:

• convection cannot take place in solid but conduction can.
• conduction is due to vibration and collision of molecules while convection is due to fluid density changes.

Radiation vs Conduction & Convection

• Radiation can take place in vacuum but both conduction and convection require a medium.

Convection Current – demo

Convection is a process in which thermal energy is transferred within a fluid (liquid or gas) due to the difference in density which creates a current.

The video below shows the convection current in a heated tube filled with water. Colour dye is added to enable us to see the convection current through our naked eyes.

 

 

Thermal Transfer Summary and Applications (updated)

Gas expands and contracts the most

The 3 states of matter –  solid, liquid and gas.

In general, when a body is heated, it expands and volume increases. The mass remains the same. Since density = mass/volume, its density decreases (less dense). For instance, warm air rises as it is less dense. In terms of kinetic theory, the particles will increase in kinetic energy. The average spacing between the particles increases (assuming not in a closed container).

Likewise, when a body is cooled, the opposite occurs. The body contracts and volume decreases. It becomes denser.

Due to the differences in particles arrangement of solid, liquid and gas, each expands by different amount when heated and vice versa. Which expands the most when heated and contracts the most when cooled?

The following demonstration of the ‘Pee Boy’ is a good video to show the concepts.

Explanation:

The tiny hole at the penis is too small for any water to enter on its own. So using thermal transfer in the different states, the following steps are taken:

1. Put the hollow empty boy into the hot water. [air inside the boy expands more than the solid ceramic, hence bubbles are seen coming out of the hole]
2. Put the hollow empty boy now into the cold water. [The air inside contracts and volume decreases. This creates a low pressure and water is then sucked into the boy through the tiny hole]
3. Place the boy on a platform. [The boy is only partially filled with water. The head portion is filled air while the bottom portion is filled with water]
4. Pour hot water over the head. [As the whole boy is heated by the running hot water, the air in the head portion expands much more than the water at the bottom and the solid ceramic of the boy. Hence the air pressure increases and it pushes the water out of the boy]
5. And he pees!!! Quite powerful indeed!