Physics
Time to reach a target temperature
Inverts the curve, which is how time of death and cooling schedules are worked out.
The Formula
t = -ln((Tt - Ta) / (T0 - Ta)) / k
Inverts the curve, which is how time of death and cooling schedules are worked out.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| t | Time | unit of time | How long until the target is reached. |
| Tt | Target temperature | degrees | The temperature you are waiting for. |
| T0 | Initial | degrees | The starting temperature. |
| Ta | Ambient | degrees | The temperature of the surroundings. |
What Each Symbol Means
tunit of time
Time
How long until the target is reached.
Ttdegrees
Target temperature
The temperature you are waiting for.
T0degrees
Initial
The starting temperature.
Tadegrees
Ambient
The temperature of the surroundings.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate newton's law of cooling page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Newton's Law Of Cooling, filed under Science. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.