Re: [Phys-l] A golf dome (thermal) physics problem

["Richard Tarara" <rbtarara@sprynet.com>]

Here's another idea straight from our regional science fair.  A computer 
server will put out about 350 watts of thermal power.  A project showed that 
a single server could raise the temperature of a small room by 15 degrees. 
So--rent out space (preferably BEHIND the teeing area) to local companies 
running servers.  With enough units, you can heat the whole dome--maybe all 
of Duluth.

Rick

Richard W. Tarara
Professor of Physics
Department of Chemistry & Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Denker" <jsd@av8n.com>
To: "Forum for Physics Educators" <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2008 4:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] A golf dome (thermal) physics problem


> On 03/15/2008 11:04 AM, Steve Highland wrote:
> > Last night on our local news it was announced that our golf dome is 
> > coming
> > down soon because it just cost too much to heat the thing.  The dome is 
> > one
> > of those large inflated tent-like gizmos that is sorely needed needed if 
> > you
> > want to do any sort of golf practice in the winter in Duluth.  (I¹m no
> > golfer ‹ I¹m a bowler and this thing is next door the the bowling alley, 
> > so
> > I couldn¹t help but notice it...)
> >
> > This sounds like a great opportunity for physics and engineering to come 
> > to
> > the rescue.  Does anyone know of neat tricks that would make the heat 
> > loss
> > more manageable?  Or is Duluth, MN just the wrong place for one of these
> > domes?
>
> That's an interesting problem.  As is characteristic of
> real-world problems, there are many many angles that need
> to be looked at.
>
> Here's how I would start the analysis:
>
> The dome serves three main purposes
> a) Cuts down the wind.
> b) Keeps the snow off the ground.
> c) Retains heat over some timescale.
>
> If they just turn off the heaters, the dome will continue to
> serve purposes (a) and (b).
>
> You might think that an unheated dome would work just fine.
> It is possible to play golf in moderate cold, if there's no
> snow and no wind-chill factor.