- Joined
- Jun 9, 2002
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- Omaha, NE/Ithaca, NY
Ok, I was doing my AP Chem homework and I came across this question:
Here is the answer that the back of my book provided:
Now, from my knowledge obtained from these forums, I was under the impression that specific heat had absolutely nothing to do with cooling capacity, because that fact always comes up whenever the aluminium vs. copper debate pops up on the forums. I thought that thermal conductivity was the only important factor. So is my textbook wrong?
High-quality hi-fi power amplifiers generate large amoutns of heat. To dissipate the heat and prevent damage to the electronic components, heat-radiating metal fins are used. Would it be better to make these fins out of iron or aluminium? Why? (See Table 6.1 for specific heat capacities.)
Here is the answer that the back of my book provided:
Al. Al has a higher heat capacity and a lower density than Fe. The same amount of heat could be dissipated by a smaller mass of Al.
Now, from my knowledge obtained from these forums, I was under the impression that specific heat had absolutely nothing to do with cooling capacity, because that fact always comes up whenever the aluminium vs. copper debate pops up on the forums. I thought that thermal conductivity was the only important factor. So is my textbook wrong?