Energy transfer by design

Energy transfer by design

1. The greater the temperature difference between an object and it's surroundings, the greater the rate at which energy is transferred.

2. The rate at which energy is transferred also depends on:

   • The materials the object is in contact with
     • The objects shape
       • The objects surface area

3. Sometimes we want to maximise the rate of energy transfer to keep things cool. To do this we may use things that:

   • Are good conductors
     • are painted dull black
       • have the air flow around them maximised.

4. Sometimes we want to minimise the rate of energy transfer too keep things warm. To do this we need to minimise the transfer the transfer of energy by conduction, convection and radiation. We may use things that:

   • Are good insulators
     • are white and shiny
       • prevent convection currents by trapping air in small pockets.