Using Newtons Law of Cooling for Fast and Precise

Temperature Readings
Stud. polyt. Steffen G. Sveegaard

October 13th 2009

Abstract. Depending on the application, fast temper- ered independent of temperature. Solving the differential
ature readings are crucial for the industry, the scien- equation gives:
tist or for computer hardware temperature monitoring.
Thermometres cannot show the temperature of the mea-
sured object faster than the temperature probe can come T (t) = Ta + (T0 − Ta ) · e−kt (2)
to thermal equilibrium with the measured object, hence
giving a ”lag” between start of measurement and final Solving equation (2) with respect to Ta gives:
temperature reading. This can give a problem in situa-
tions with temperature sensitive chemicals or equipment, T (t) − T0 · e−kt
or where it is desired to know the exact temperature Ta = (3)
1 − e−kt
here-and-now. Taking advantage of a known equation,
the Newtons Law of Cooling, it is possible to quickly
determine an objects temperature. 1.1 Finding the value of k

An easy way to obtain the k-value for the temperature

probe is to record the temperature of icewater (which is
defined to be 0 o C) and the time, since then equation
(2) then reduces to
1 Introduction
T (t) = T0 · e−kt (4)
A temperature probe can be modelled as a metal which
comes to thermal equilibrium with the object being mea- whereafter the equation (4) can be linearized, yielding
sured. Assuming the object does not change its temper-
ature, the temperature probe will eventually have the T (t)
ln = −kt (5)
same temperature as the object and hence the ther- T0
mometer will show the objects temperature. It it clear
Linear regression can then be fitted to the data points
that the thermometer only is as fast as the probe can
and the k-value is revealed. The k-value is, as previously
reach thermal equilibrium, e.g. it is desireable to have a
described, dependent on, inter alia, surface area in con-
probe with very high thermal conductivity, low heat ca-
tact with the object of interest and this area has to be
pacity, large contact area on the object being measured,
the same in all measurements.
and a short distance from object to thermosensor.

Any object that heats or cools from a temperature T0 2 Results

to a temperature Ta will follow the differential equation:
dT
= −k(T − Ta ) (1)
dt
Here the temperature probe has the temperature T
and the object being measured has the temperature Ta .
The constant k is dependent on the probes properties as
described before. The value k is independent of the tem-
perature difference and can in most situations be consid-
A simulation of a probe at T0 = 25 o C measuring an ob-
ject at 80 o C was made using Excel. The probe constant
k was from a real-life thermometer and was found to be k
= 0.11 s−1 . The simulation was based upon a thermome-
ter with an uncertainty of ±1 o C. Since the value k is
not simulated, the simulation of the temperature reading
should be valid. Table 1 shows the simulated thermome-
ter reading progression and the calculated temperature
of the object.
2 Stud. polyt. Steffen G. Sveegaard: Using Newtons Law of Cooling for Fast and Precise Temperature Readings

Time (s) Measured (o C) Calculated (o C) if the probes shifts to another object with another tem-
0 25 - perature, and thereby making the formula of this paper
5 48.3 80.1 very versatile. As of now, this paper is only practical in
10 61.7 80.1 applications where a single object is being measured, and
20 73.9 80.1 the probe has a constant area in contact with the object.
... ... ... This could be onboard temperature sensors in mother-
45 79.7 80.1 boards, temperature probe in a bioreactor, or similar.
50 79.8 80.0
55 79.9 80.1
60 80.0 80.0
Table 1. Measured temperature versus calculated tempera-
ture of the object as time progresses.

As the table reveals, it takes about 55 seconds for the

thermometer to reach a temperature within the uncer-
tainty of ±0.1 o C. In contrast, the calculation reaches
the temperature already after 5 seconds. This is a ”lag”
reduction to 1/11th of the original value and maybe even
more.

2.1 Error of estimation

Depending on the equipment, the calculated tempera-

ture will be more or less accurate. The approximate error
is calculated by partial differentials where the worst-case
error is found by

∂Ta ∂Ta
dTa (t, T ) = dt + dT (6)
∂t ∂T
where Ta (t,T) is the function that calculates the objects
temperature, dTa (t,T) is therefore the error of estima-
tion, and dt and dT represent the uncertainty in the
measurements. In this case, the time has an uncertainty
of ± 1 s and the temperature ± 0.1 o C.

Provided the time is recorded with many decimals by a

computer or microcontroller, the uncertainty of the time
converges to zero and the practical error of estimation
becomes
∂Ta 1
dTa (t, T ) ≈ dT = · 0.1o C (7)
∂T 1 − e−0.11t

3 Discussion and Conclusion

Using computers or microprocessors for recording the

temperature and time, it would be possible to get data
with far better resolution and precision than those given
in the simulation, and thereby making it possible to
make fast and precise temperature readings.
If time can be measured with a precision of ±0.001 s, the
temperature ± 0.01 o C, and it is desireable to know the
temperature with one decimal, the error of estimation
will give the calculation a uncertainty of less than ± 0.1
o
C.

It should be possible to create an algorithm that ”senses”