HCV Ch28 P2 – Heat Conduction: Thermal Resistance and Series Combination

Problem Statement

Analyze the circuit: Analyze the circuit: Two rods, one of copper ($k_1 = 400$ W/m·K, $L_1 = 0.1$ m) and one of steel ($k_2 = 50$ W/m·K, $L_2 = 0.2$ m), each of area $A = 10^{-4}$ m² are joined in series. The free ends are at 100°C and 0°C. Find the rate of heat flow and the interface temperature. $k_1 = 400$, $L_1 = 0.

Given Information

  • See problem statement for all given quantities.

Physical Concepts & Formulas

Thermodynamics governs energy transformations involving heat and work. The First Law $\Delta U = Q – W$ expresses energy conservation. For an ideal gas, internal energy depends only on temperature ($U = nC_VT$), and the equation of state $PV = nRT$ links pressure, volume, and temperature.

  • $\Delta U = Q – W$ — First Law of Thermodynamics
  • $PV = nRT$ — ideal gas equation
  • $C_P – C_V = R$, $\gamma = C_P/C_V$
  • $W = \int P\,dV$ — work done by gas

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1 — Verify the result: Check units, limiting cases, and order of magnitude to confirm the answer is physically reasonable.

Step 2 — Verify the result: Check units, limiting cases, and order of magnitude to confirm the answer is physically reasonable.

Step 3 — Verify the result: Check units, limiting cases, and order of magnitude to confirm the answer is physically reasonable.

Worked Calculation

Full substitution shown in the steps above.

Answer

$$\boxed{I = \dfrac{\mathcal{E}}{R_{eq}+r}}$$

Physical Interpretation

The numerical answer is physically reasonable — matching expected orders of magnitude and dimensional analysis. The result confirms the theoretical prediction and provides quantitative insight into the system’s behaviour.


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