Solution/Answers to Assignment 1

1.(a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (c) 5.(d) 6. (b) 7. (c) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (d) 11. (a) 12. (c)

Detailed Solution:
1. The mechanism of heat transfer due to temperature gradient in any medium is called
conduction, while the mode by which heat is transferred between a solid surface and the
adjacent fluid in motion when there is a temperature difference between the two is known as
convection heat transfer.
2. The rate of heat transfer for one-dimensional heat conduction through a plane wallis
given by
dT
Qx = − kA
dx
dT
For plane wall, A is constant and hence Qx ∝ k
dx
For steady state, Qx is constant.
Therefore, we can conclude that for a given amount of heat transfer, the higher the value
of thermal conductivity of the wall, the temperature gradient within the wall will be
lower.

3. From Fourier law of heat conduction, the heat flux for one-dimensional heat conduction
through a plane wall is given by
dT
qx = − k
dx
For steady state, the amount of heat which flows through the wall is invariant with time.
Therefore, for steady state one-dimensional heat conduction through a plane wall with
constant thermal conductivity, one can write
dT
= constant
dx
This physically implies that the temperature distribution within the wall is linear.

4. In solids, heat conduction is due to two effects-flow of free electrons and propagation of
lattice vibrational waves.

5. For steady state one-dimensional heat conduction through a plane wall with constant
thermal conductivity, the rate of heat transfer in the direction from inner to outer wall is
given by
 T1 − T2
Qx = kA
L
where k is the thermal conductivity of the wall, A is the surface area of the wall, L is the
wall thickness, T1 is the inner wall temperature and T2 is the outer wall temperature.
Substituting the respective values, we have
1840 − 340
Qx = ( 0.6 )(1) = 1500 W
0.6
6. Highly ordered crystalline non-metallic solids like diamond, silcon exhibit very high
thermal conductivities due to lattice vibration only.
7. For steady state one-dimensional heat conduction through a plane wall with constant
thermal conductivity, the rate of heat flux in the direction from inner to outer wall is
given by
T −T
qx = k 1 2
L
where k is the thermal conductivity of the wall, L is the wall thickness, T1 is the inner wall
temperature and T2 is the outer wall temperature.
Substituting the respective values, we have

1100 − 350
2500 = (1.15 )
L
or L = 0.345 m

8. For steady state heat transfer, the rate of heat flux due to conduction at the front surface is
qcond = 50 W/m 2 .
Heat is transferred from the front surface of the plate to the ambient due to convection and
the rate of heat flux due to convection is given by
qconv = h (Ts − T∞ )
where h is the heat transfer coefficient, Ts is the temperature of the front surface of the plate
and T∞ is the temperature of flowing air.
The rate of heat flux due to conduction must be equal to that of due to convection. Thus,
qcond = h (Ts − T∞ )
Substituting the respective values, we have
50 = 50 (Ts − 30 )
or Ts = 31°C

9. Thermal diffusivity of a substance is defined mathematically as

 k
α=
ρcp

Thermal conductivity physically signifies the ability of a substance to conduct heat, while
ρ c p physically signifies theability of a substance to store thermal energy. Therefore, thermal
diffusivity of a substance physically signifies the ability of the substance to conduct heat
relative to its ability to store thermal energy.

10. According to Fourier’s law of heat conduction, the rate of heat transfer through a body is
proportional to the area normal to the direction of heat flowand the temperature
gradient along the direction of heat flow, and is dependent upon the material of the body.

11. Thermal diffusivity of a substance is defined mathematically as

k
α=
ρcp

This implies that thermal diffusivity is directly proportional to thermal conductivity

12. The heat conduction equation in a medium in a generic form can be written in a
rectangular Cartesian coordinate system as

∂T ∂  ∂T  ∂  ∂T  ∂  ∂T  ∂p
ρcp =  kx  +  ky  +  kz  + Q′′′ + β T
∂t ∂x  ∂x  ∂y  ∂y  ∂z  ∂z  ∂t

where ρ is the density, cp is the constant pressure specific heat, k is the thermal conductivity,
T is the temperature, t is the time, Q′′′ is the rate of generation of thermal energy per unit
volume, β is the volume expansion coefficient and p is the pressure.