Laws of heat transfer

conduction
Fouriers law It is an emperical law based on observation. the rate of flow of heat through a simple homogeneous

solid is directly proportional to the area of the section at right angles to the direction of heat flow, and to change of temperature with respect to the length of path of the heat flow. Q A dt\ dx. where Q= A= dt= dx=

Q = - k A dt\ dx. where k = thermal conductivity. -ve sign of k is to take care of the decreasing temperature along with the direction of increasing thickness or the direction of heat glow. The temperature gradient dt\dx is always negative along positive x direction and, therefore the value as Q become +ve.

Assumptions
The following are the assumptions on which Fourier's law. Conduction takes place under steady state conditions. The heat flow is unidirectional. There is no internal heat generation. The bounding surfaces are isothermal in character. All the material is homogeneous and isotropic.

Essential features of Fourier's law

It is applicable to all matters (may be solid, liquid or gas.) It is based on experimental evidence. It is a vector expression indicating that heat flow rate is in the direction of decreasing

temperature. It helps to define thermal conductivity k of the medium through which heat is conducting.

Thermal conductivity
the amount of energy conducted through a body of unit area, and unit thickness in unit time when the difference in temperature between the faces causing heat flow is unit temperature difference. Materials having good thermal conductivity are good conductors of heat and vice-versa. Thermal conductivity depends upon Material structure. Moisture contents. Density of material. Pressure and temperature.

Points to be remember
Thermal conductivity of most of the metals decreases with increase of temperature. In most of the liquid thermal conductivity decreases with the increase of temperature due to decrease in density with increase of temperature.*(water being an exceptional.) In gases thermal conductivity increases with temperature. In most materials, thermal conductivity dependence almost linear on temperature.

k = ko(1+ t) where ko = thermal conductivity at 0 C, = temperature coefficient of thermal conductivity, t = temperature in C.

General heat conduction equation in

Cartesian coordinates. Cylindrical coordinates. Spherical coordinates.

Cartesian coordinates
parrallelopipide

Volume = dx dy dz Let t = temperature of left face. dt\dx = temperature changes and rate of change along x direction. Net heat accumulated is heat conducted + internal heat generated = energy stroed with in the material.