An emergency response unit is preparing for a hurricane (and thepotential for a prolonged power outage). As part of theirpreparation, they are filling Yeti Tundra 110 coolers with ice. Theinside dimensions of each cooler is approximately 15 inches high,eleven inches wide and 30 inches long. Based on these dimensions,the volume capacity of each cooler is 4,900 cubic inches and theexternal surface area of the four sides plus top and bottom isgiven as 1,800 square inches. The sides, top and bottom of the Yeticoolers is made of 2-inch polyurethane with an R-value of 14(ft2-°F-hr/BTU).
If each cooler is being filled with 84 pounds of ice and theaverage outside temperature is expected to be 81°F, how many dayswill it take for all of the ice to melt? (For your calculations,assume that the temperature inside the coolers is 32°F and that thecoolers remain closed.)
