A walrus loses heat by conduction through its blubber at the rate of 220 W when immersed in - 1.00°C water. Its internal core temperature is 37.0°C, and it has a surface area of 2.23 m2. What is the average thickness of its blubber? The conductivity of fatty tissue without blood is 0.20 (J/s · m · °C).

The average thickness of the blubber is 0.077 m

Explanation:

Here, we want to calculate the average thickness of the Walrus blubber.

We employ a mathematical formula to calculate this;

The rate of heat transfer (H) through the Walrus blubber = dQ/dT = KA (T2-T1) / L

Where dQ is the change in amount of heat transferred

dT is the temperature gradient (change in temperature) i. e T2-T1

dQ/dT = 220 W

K is the conductivity of fatty tissue without blood = 0.20 (J/s · m · °C)

A is the surface area which is 2.23 m^2

T2 = 37.0 °C

T1 = - 1.0 °C

L is?

We can rewrite the equation in terms of L as follows;

L * dQ/dT = KA (T2-T1)

L = KA (T2-T1) : dQ/dT

Imputing the values listed above;

L = (0.2 * 2.23) (37 - (-1)) / 220

L = (0.2 * 2.23 * 38) / 220 = 16.948/220 = 0.077 m