Controlling Heat Loss

Is Heat Loss something useful or a nuisance?

  1. The rate that a hot object transfers heat to the surroundings depends on many things:
    1. Dark coloured objects transfer heat __________ than light coloured objects because dark colours __________ heat radiation better than __________ colours.
    2. Objects with a larger surface area transfer heat faster than objects with a __________ surface area.
    3. Hotter objects transfer heat to the surroundings __________ than cooler objects.
    4. Objects which are well insulated transfer heat to the surroundings more __________.

    Use the information in question 1 to help you answer the rest of the questions.
    The following photographs show an arctic fox and a desert fox:

    Artic FoxDesert Fox

  2. The desert fox can easily overheat. Explain why it has large ears:
  3. Explain why the arctic fox has small ears:
  4. Explain why the arctic fox has thicker fur:

    The following photograph shows the cooling fins on a motorbike engine:

    Engine Cooling Fins

  5. Explain why the cooling fins are painted black:
  6. Suggest a reason for the shape of the cooling fins
  7. Suggest as many ways as possible that you could use to reduce the heat loss from a hot water tank in a house:
  8. Suggest as many ways as possible that you could increase the heat loss from a house in a hot country to keep it cool: