Conduct the following experiment to determine the time constant for a can of soda and then predict the temperature of the soda at different times. Leave the soda in the refrigerator overnight. Measure the air temperature in the kitchen and the temperature of the soda while it is still in the refrigerator by taping the sensor of the thermometer to the outer surface of the can. Then take the soda out and measure its temperature again in 5 min. Using these values, calculate the exponent b. Using this b-value, predict the temperatures of the soda in 10, 15, 20, 30, and 60 min and compare the results with the actual temperature measurements. Do you think the lumped system analysis is valid in this case?
