# Formula for calculating air temperature when heated only momentarily by an object?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-calculating-air-temperature-when-heated-only-momentarily-by-an-object/836441>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 3, 2019, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-calculating-air-temperature-when-heated-only-momentarily-by-an-object/836441 "2019-07-03T06:39:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-calculating-air-temperature-when-heated-only-momentarily-by-an-object/836441/21 "2019-07-05T01:02:56Z")

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> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#):
>
> I think there is a problem with your premise. According to this [website](https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=18371), the heating element may be seen to glow red during the heating cycle.  
> In a darkened area, a dull red glow is approximately 1200F, so, at least according to General Electric, the heating element will heat considerably above 210F.

… and it appears that way when you have stopped the dryer and interupted the cycle. It is possible that the heater in a GE dryer glows during normal operation only if there isn’t enough airflow to keep it cool. And that for maximum efficiency, you shouldn’t overload your drier.

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**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2019, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/formula-for-calculating-air-temperature-when-heated-only-momentarily-by-an-object/836441/22 "2019-07-07T00:47:22Z")

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> [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](#):
>
> Look at the footnotes at the bottom of your reference:.

Yes, I see my mistake and thank you for explaining that. I still find it hard to believe that you’d have an heated element to 1000F in the dryer during continuous operation.

> [@Edelwiesspirate](#):
>
> Besides, your claim (via the chart) that steel glows at 390 degrees F …

Yes Sir - mistake acknowledged on the color versus temperature chart.

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