Insulation

Question 1

What does a lower k-value mean: better or worse insulation?

Answer 1

Better insulation

Question 2

Unit of thermal conductivity (k)?

Answer 2

W/m·K (watts per metre per kelvin, and to use it you do W x m x K)

Question 3

If a window has U-value 4 W/m²·K and wall U-value is 1 W/m²·K, which loses more heat per m²?

Answer 3

Window (higher U-value loses more heat per m²)

Question 4

Doubling the area of a wall does what to heat loss?

Answer 4

Halves the heat loss

Question 5

What does “U-value” measure in one sentence?

Answer 5

U-value measures how much heat passes through a material per unit area per degree of temperature difference

Question 6

If inside is 20°C and outside is −60°C, what is the temperature difference (ΔT)?

Answer 6

80°C

Question 7

If a 2 m² window has heat loss 200 W/m², how much total heat does the window lose?

Answer 7

2 m² × 200 W/m² = 400 W

Question 8

Name one realistic feature you could add to a Mars base that helps survival.

Answer 8

Examples: greenhouse, airlock, control room, solar panels, hydroponics garden

Question 9

If a 0.05 m foam has k = 0.03 W/m·K, is that foam a good or bad insulator?

Answer 9

Good insulator (low k-value)

Question 10

Why are windows usually worse than walls for keeping heat in?

Answer 10

Because transparent materials usually conduct heat more easily than walls