I'm trying to calculate the new temperature of an object when the air temperature around it changes, given a period of time.
Basically I get periodic readings from an air temperature sensor in a refrigerator. In some cases these readings are every 5 minutes, in others every 1 minute, so the time between readings is variable.
For each reading I get, I'd like to also calculate the approximate temperature of food at its core; something like a chicken for example (I know that part is vague, but if there is a variable I can tweak then that is fine).
The result should be a "damped" version of the actual air temperature, as obviously any objects will slowly change temperature to eventually meet the air temperature.
Initially there used to be "food simulant" put around the sensor, so the temperature would automatically be damped, but this is no longer the case.
I do not know much about thermodynamics. I'm not sure if I can just add a percentage of the temperature change to the previous damped value, or if I need a calculation based on the last few air temperature readings, or what.
I guess I'm looking for a result a bit like:
10:00 2 degrees (air), 2 degrees (product) 10:05 2.5 degrees (air), 2.1 degrees (product) 10:10 2.5 degrees (air), 2.2 degrees (product) 10:20 2.7 degrees (air), 2.5 degrees (product)
I could do something really cheap like averaging the readings over the last 30 minutes but I don't think that will cut it!
I'm not really sure this is the correct forum for this question! I'd appreciate any help - thanks very much.
EDIT: I have since found a solution by reading up on Fourier's Law. I will post the solution once I have some time. Thanks to anyone who commented.