A square metal plate of side and thickness forms part of the wall of an oven

PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Thermodynamics · Thermodynamics

Problem

A square metal plate of side 20 cm20\,\text{cm} and thickness 5.0 mm5.0\,\text{mm} forms part of the wall of an oven. One side of the plate is maintained at 200 ∘C200\,^{\circ}\text{C} while the other side is exposed to room air at 30 ∘C30\,^{\circ}\text{C}. Two different plates are tried successively under identical conditions: Plate A: copper (k=400 W m−1 K−1)(k = 400\,\text{W}\,\text{m}^{-1}\,\text{K}^{-1}), Plate B: stainless steel (k=16 W m−1 K−1)(k = 16\,\text{W}\,\text{m}^{-1}\,\text{K}^{-1}). (i) Calculate the steady rate of heat flow through Plate A. (ii) Calculate the steady rate of heat flow through Plate B. (iii) Which plate is preferable for minimising heat loss from the oven? Support your choice with the above calculations.

Related theory

Browse the problem library