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4: Thermal Conduction

  • Page ID
    7234
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    • 4.1: Error Function
      This page introduces the error function (erf) and the Gaussian function, highlighting their properties such as the maximum value at x = 0 and the total area under the curve being 1. It explains the importance of erf in calculating the area under the Gaussian curve from -a to a and presents the complementary error function (erfc) for the area outside this range. Additionally, key values for erfc at one and two standard deviations are provided, with references to graphs for better understanding.
    • 4.2: Introduction
      This page discusses thermal conduction as a standalone topic in heat theory, emphasizing that it does not require a deep understanding of thermodynamics. Readers can grasp the content independently, and those concentrating on thermodynamics have the option to skip it without impacting their understanding of later sections.
    • 4.3: Thermal Conductivity
      This page covers heat conduction in a bar, explaining heat flow driven by temperature gradients and defining thermal conductivity \( K \) in SI units. It distinguishes between isotropic and anisotropic materials and connects thermal conductivity in metals to electrical conductivity. Additionally, it provides methods for calculating heat loss in real-world applications like walls and windows, emphasizing the interplay between thermal and electrical properties.
    • 4.4: The Heat Conduction Equation
      This page explores temperature variations over time and space, building on steady-state analysis. It presents the temperature gradient as a partial derivative to show its non-uniformity along a rod and analyzes heat flow dynamics, leading to the heat conduction equation: \( C \rho \frac{\partial T}{\partial t} = K \frac{\partial^2 T}{\partial x^2} \). The equation is further generalized for three-dimensional applications, incorporating thermal diffusivity.
    • 4.5: A Solution of the Heat Conduction Equation
      This page explains how to solve the heat conduction equation for a one-dimensional copper bar, outlining the initial conditions and the methods to derive a solution. It discusses the transformation of variables to simplify the equation and incorporates boundary conditions using the error function to express the temperature as a function of time and distance.


    This page titled 4: Thermal Conduction is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jeremy Tatum.