PROBLEM5.

107
KNOWN: Desired minimum temperature response of a 3e measurement.
FIND: Minimum sample thickness that can be measured.
ASSUMPTIONS: (1) Constant properties, (2) Two-dimensional conduction, (3) Semi-infinite
medium, (4) Negligible radiation and convection losses from the metal strip and the top surface of
the sample.
PROPERTIES: (Example 5.10): k = 1.11 W/mK, a = 4.37 10
-7
m
2
/s.
ANALYSIS: Equation 5.74 maybe rearranged to yield
2
s
TLk
= 2exp 2 C -
q
( | |
( |
( \ .

-3
-3
0.1C 3.5 10 m 1.11 W/m K
= 2 exp 2 5.35 -
3.5 10 W
( | |

( |
|
(
\ .
3
= 44.2 10 rad/s
-7 2
= 4.37 10 m /s
Therefore
-7 2 3 -6
p
= / = 4.37 10 m /s 44.2 10 rad/s = 3.1 10 m = 3.1 m
The minimum sample thickness is therefore 3.1 m. <
COMMENTS: (1) To ensure the thickness of the sample is adequate, the actual minimum
thickness should be greater than the thermal penetration depth. (2) The sample thickness could be
increased further by increasing the amplitude of the heating rate, Aq
s
. (3) It is commonly desired
to measure very thin samples to discern the effect of the top and bottom boundaries of a thin film
on the conduction heat transfer rate, as depicted in Figure 2.6. As the film becomes thinner, the
experimental uncertainties increase.