CONDUCTION

Total number of questions in this chapter are :

(i) In chapter Examples ....................... 06

(ii) Solved Examples ....................... 06

Total no. of questions ....................... 12

 Heat can be transmitted from one place to the other
by three modes these are :
(1) Conduction
(2) Convection
(3) Radiation.
We will discuss only conduction in this chapter. (1) At isothermal surface, the temperature of all the
molecules is same.
1. CONDUCTION (2) These surfaces never intersect each other
Conduction is the phenomenon of transfer of heat (3) The shape of isothermal surface depends on the
through one part of the body to another, from particle shape of conductor and nature of flow of heat.
to particle in the direction of fall of temperature It can be (1D, 2D or 3D) heat flow.
without any actual movement of the particles. (4) The direction of heat flow is always normal to
For example : When we heat one end of a solid, its the isothermal surface.
other end becomes hot. Heat goes from one end of
(3) TEMPERATURE GRADIENT : – The rate of
the rod to the other end by conduction.
change of temperature with distance along the
In the process of conduction when an object is
direction of flow of heat is called temperature
heated, the particle of the body at higher temperature
gradient.
give heat to the particle at lower temperature. Hence
the molecular collisions takes place by which the
transfer of energy occurs and the heat is transferred
from one end to the other.

2. THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
If we consider a metallic rod having  and
Thermal conductivity of a solid is a measure of the
ability of the solid to conduct heat through it.  –  as the temperature of two isothermal
Substances differ considerably from one another in surfaces which are being at a distance of x from
this respect. For example, copper, silver etc. are each other, than
very good conductors of heat whereas glass, wood
 – d
etc. are bad conductors. Temperature gradient = =
x dx
3. TERMS RELATED TO THE THERMAL (i) The negative sign indicates that temperature
CONDUCTIVITY decreases with distance in the direction of heat
(i) VARIABLE STATE : As temperature of every flow.
cross section of the rod goes on increasing, the (ii) The unit of temperature gradient is ºC per meter.
rod is said to be in variable state.
(ii) STEADY STATE : This state of the rod, in which 4. LAW OF HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH
temperature of each part becomes constant and CONDUCTION
there is no further absorption of heat any where
In steady state, the rate of flow of heat (dQ/dt),
in the rod is called steady state.
through the cross–section of the conductor is,
Note that in steady state temperature of each
part of the rod is constant but not same. (i) Directly proportional to the area A of surface
Note :– Theory of conduction is valid only at steady  dQ 
  A
state.  dt 
(iii) ISOTHERMAL SURFACE :– If we consider a (ii) Directly proportional to the temperature gradient
metallic rod in which heat flows from one end to (–d/dx) i.e.
the other so that after some time, a steady state
is reached. In this state temperature of every  dQ   – d 
transverse section of rod is same on the whole    
 dt   dx 
area of section. This transverse section of the
rod behaves as an isothermal surface.
 On combining the above two forms, we get, 6. COMPARISON OF HEAT CONDUCTION WITH
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTION
 dQ   – d 
   A.  
 dt   dx  Electrical Conduction
1. Electrical charge flows from higher potential
 dQ   d  to lower potiontial
  = –kA   -----------(1)
 dt   dx  2. The rate of flow of charge is called electric
current.
Where k is constant called as coefficient of
thermal conductivity of the material. The unit of dq
I
coefficient of thermal conductivity is dt
3. By Ohm’s law,
J/m–sec–k.
v1  v 2
Now if dH is the amount of heat transfer in time I
R
interval dt then, 4. The electrical resistance is given by
dQ dH  
= R  
dt dt A A
Where  is resistivity and  is conductivity
dH KA
= = rate of heat flow
dt x Thermal Conduction
If heat enters from one end such that temperature 1. Heat flows from higher temperature to lower
decreases with distance in the direction of heat temperature
flow than, 2. The rate of flow of heat is called as heat current
dH KAd dQ
=– I
dt dx dt
3. The heat current is given as
Special Point : If heat enters from one end and
the temperature is measured from the other end T1  T2
I
opposite to the direction of flow than, R Th

dH KAd 4. The thermal resistance is given by

=
dt dx 
R Th 
KA
5. THERMAL RESISTANCE Where k is thermal conductivity of the conductor

Eqn. (1) can be rewritten as Heat conduction

dQ d Ex.1 Transmission of heat by molecular collisions

dt dx / KA is –
(A) Conduction (B) Convection
This is analogous to ohm’s law equation
(C) Radiation (D) Scattering
V Sol.(A) In the conduction mode, the molecule remain at
= their place and transmission of energy occurs by
R
molecular collisions.
dx
the quantity is called Thermal Resistance, in Ex.2 Coefficient of thermal conductivity depends
KA
on –
analogy to electrical resistance greater the thermal (A) Nature of material
resistance, better will be the thermal insulation and (B) Heat produced
poorer will be the thermal conduction. (C) Difference in temperature
(D) Atmospheric pressure
 dH K 1A  K 1 2 1  K 2  1 2 
KA (1 –  2 ) = 1 – 
Sol.(A) In the formula Q = t dt 1  K 1 2  K 2  1 
d
K is coefficient of thermal conductivity which is =
L
K1A K 2 1 (1 –  2 )
M O
P
a constant whose value depends on the nature 1 N
K1 2  K 2 1 Q
of material. A (1 –  2 )
=
Ex.3 The state when there is no more absorption of K 1 2  K 2  1
heat by the bar to raise the temperature of any K 1K 2
part of it, is called the –
A (1 –  2 )
(A) Variable state (B) Steady state =
2 
 1
(C) Both the above (D) None of the above K 2 K1
Sol.(B) Steady state refers to the mode in which the
1 –  2
temperature remains constant i.e. neither the = ...(2)
2 
absorption nor radiation takes place.  1
AK 2 AK1
7. COMBINATION OF STRAIGHT RODS (i) In terms of thermal resistance, if we use Req as
net resistance of combination, than
7.1 SERIES COMBINATION :– Suppose we have two
dH  – 2
rods of same cross-sectional area A. The length of = 1 ...(3)
dt R eq .
the rods are 1 and 2 and coefficient of thermal Equating eqn. (2) and (3), we have
conductivity are K1 and K2 respectively.
2 
R eq . =  1 ...(4)
AK 2 AK 1
Req.= R1 + R2
(ii) If Keq. is the equivalent coefficient of thermal
conductivity of the combination of rods, then thermal
resistance of the combination becomes
1   2
The ends of the composite rod are maintained at R = AK ...(5)
temperature 1 and 2. Let  be common temperature eq.

of the junction. Comparing eqn. (4) and (5), we get,

In steady state, any heat that goes through the first 2  1   2
 1
rod also goes through the second rod. So same heat AK 2 AK1 = AK eq.
current passes through the two rods.  2 1  1   2

K 2 K1 = K eq.
K 1A (1 – )
Heat current in Ist rod = 1 ...(1) 1   2
Keq. =
1  2

K 2 A ( –  2 ) K1 K 2
Heat current in IIst rod =
2
Series combination of rods
K 1A (1 – ) K 2 A ( –  2 )
In steady state, = Ex.4 Figure shows a copper rod joined to a steel rod.
1 2 The rods have equal length and equal cross-
sectional area. The free end of the copper rod is
K12 (1 –) = K21 ( –2 ) kept at 0ºC and that of steel rod is kept at 100ºC.
K121 – K12  = K21 – K212 Find the temperature of the junction of the rod.
Conductivity of copper = 390 W/m-ºC
K1  2 1  K 2  1  2
  = Conductivity of steel = 46 W/m-ºC
K1  2  K 2  1

 = Temp. of meeting point of two rods

Put the value of in eqn. (1)
Sol. Heat current in first rod (copper) (ii) If Keq. is the equivalent coefficient of thermal
conductivity of parallel combination, then
390  A( 0 – )
= 

Req. =
Here  is temperature of the junction and A &  K eq. (A1  A 2 )
are area and length of copper rod. Using eqn. (3) for Req.
Heat current in second rod (steel) 1 1 
 =
46  A(  – 100) R1 R 2 K eq. (A1  A 2 )
=
 R 1R 2 
=
In series combination. heat current remains same. R1  R 2 K eq. (A1  A 2 )
So,
 
390  A( 0 – ) 46  A(  – 100) 
= K1A1 K 2 A 2 
    =
 K eq. ( A1  A 2 )
–390  = 46  – 4600 K1A1 K 2 A 2
436  = 4600
            = 10.6 ºC  
=
7.2 PARALLEL COMBINATION :– Suppose we have k1A1  k 2 A 2 K eq. ( A1  A 2 )
two rods of same length  and area of cross-sections K1A1  K 2 A 2
A1 and A2. The coefficient of thermal conductivity Keq.=
be K1 and K2 respectively. A1  A 2

Parallel combination of rods

Ex. 5 An aluminium rod and a copper rod of equal
length 1m and cross-sectional area 1cm ² are
welded together as shown in the figure. One end
is kept at a temperature of 20ºC and other at
The ends of the rod are maintained at temperature 1
60ºC. Calculate the amount of heat taken out per
and 2. The same temperature difference is maintained
between the ends of each rod. second from the hot end. Thermal conductivity
of aluminium is 200 W/mºC and of copper is 390
dH 1 dH 2
Let and be the heat conducted in first W/mºC.
dt dt
and second rod. The resultant of these is assumed to
dH
be .
dt
dH dH 1 dH 2
= +
dt dt dt
K 1A 1 (1 –  2 ) K 2 A 2 ( 1 –  2 ) Sol. Heat current through the aluminium rod
= 
 
 K1 A1 K 2 A 2  200  (1  10 –4 )
 (1 –  2 ) =  ( 60 – 20) Heat
= ..........(1) 1
   
(i) If Req is the equivalent thermal resistance of current through the copper rod
the combination then,
dH 1 –  2 390  (1  10 –4 )
=  ( 60 – 20)
= ..........(2) 1
dt R eq .
equating (1) and (2) Total heat= 200 × 10–4 × 40 + 390 × 10–4 × 40
1 K 1A 1 K 2 A 2 = 590 × 40 × 10–4
= 
R eq.  
= 2.36 Joule
1 1 1
= R R ..........(3)
R eq. 1 2
7.3 MIXED COMBINATION :– In mixed combination of 
= 200 per m
rods, concept of electricity are valid. A
Sol.(b) In figure (2) two rods all in parallel and resultant
Mixed combination of rods of both is in series the first rod
dQ  – 2
Ex. 6 The three rods shown in the figure (1) have  = 1
identical geometrical dimensions. Heat flows from dt R
the hot end at the rate of 40W in arrangement 1
(1). Find the rate of heat flow when the rods are But R = R1 + 1 1
joined in arrangement (2). Thermal conductivity 
of aluminium and copper are 200 W/mºC and 400 R1 R 2
W/mºC respectively.
dQ 100 – 0
 =  1
0ºC Al Cu Al 100ºC dt 
K1A K1A  K2A
(1)  

Cu 100 – 0
 L1 1 O
0ºC Al 100ºC =
Al
(2) AN
M  P
K K K Q
1 1 2

Sol.(a) In the arrangement (1), the three rods are joined 100
in series. The rate of flow of heat, =
200
L
M
1

1 O
P
d  KA(1 –  2 )
dt
=

N200 600 Q
600  100
 – 2 =
= 1 200  4
R = 75W
But, R = R1 + R2 + R3 [In series]
100 – 0
 40 =
R1  R 2  R1
100
40 =
  
 
K1A K2A KA

100
40 =
L
 2
M 
1 O
P
N
A K1 K2 Q
L
 2
M 
1 O
P 100
N
A 200 400 Q= 40
 SOLVED EXAMPLES
Ex.1 A cubical ice box of thermocule has each side 30 Ex.3 Calculate approximately the heat passing per hour
cm and a thickness of 5 cm.4 kg of ice is put in through the walls and windows of room 5 by 5
the box. If out side temp. is 45° C and coefficient meters if the walls are of bricks of thickness 30
of thermal conductivity = 0.01 JS–1 m –1 °C–1 , cms and have windows of glass 3mm thick and
calculate the mass of ice left after 6 hours. Take total area 5 square meters. The temperature of
latent heat of fusion of ice = 335 × 103 J/Kg. the room is 30º below that of the outside and the
Sol. Here, length of each side,  = 30 cm = 0.3 m
thermal conductivity of bricks and of glass is
Thickness of each side, dx = 5 cm = 0.05 m
12 × 10–4 and 25 × 10–4 C.G.S. units respectively.
Total surface area through which heat enters into
Sol. Let Q1 be the heat passing through the walls,
the box, A = 62 = 6 × 0.3 × 0.3 = 0.54 m2
then
Temp. diff.  T = 45 – 0 = 45°C
KA(T1 – T2 ) t
K = 0.01 J s–1 m–1 °C–1 Q=
x
time,  t = 6 hrs = 6 × 60 × 60 s Here area of four walls including windows
Latent heat of fusion L = 335 × 10³ J/kg = 500 × 500 × 4 = 10,00,000
let m be the mass of ice melted in this time = Area of all windows
 T   T  t = 5 sq. meter = 50,000 sq. cn
Q  mL  KA  t  KA  
 x   x  L  Net area of brick walls
= 10,00,000 – 50,000 = 9,50,000 sq.cm
45 6 x 60 x 60 K for bricks = 12 × 10–4 C.G.S. units
= 0.01 × 0.54 × 0 .05 x
335 x 10 3 x = 40cm, (T1 – T 2) = 30ºC and
t = 1 hr = 3600 sec.
= 0.313 kg
 mass of ice left = 4 – 0313 = 3.687 kg (12  10 –4 )( 9 ,50,000)( 30)( 3600)
 Q1 =
30
Ex.2 An ice box made of 1.5 cm thick styrofoam has
dimensions 60 cm × 60 cm × 30 cm. It contains = 4104000 cal
ice at 0ºC and is kept in a room at 40ºC. Find the Heat passing through glass windows
rate at which the ice is melting. Latent heat of
fusion of ice = 3.36 × 105 J/kg. and thermal ( 25  10 –4 )(50,000)( 30)( 3600)
Q2 =
conductivity of styrofoam = 0.04 W/m–ºC. 0.3
Sol. The total surface area of the walls = 45000000 cal.
= 2(60 cm × 60 cm + 60 cm × 30 cm + 60 Total heat passing Q = Q1 + Q2
cm × 30 cm) = 4104000 + 45000000
= 1.44 m2. = 49104 × 103 calories.
The thickness of the walls = 1.5 cm = 0.015 m.
The rate of heat flow into the box is
Ex.4 A compound bar 2m long is constructed of a
Q KA(1  2 ) solid copper core 1 cm in diameter surrounded
=
t x by a steel casing whose outer diameter is 2cm.
The outer surface of the bar is thermally insulated
( 0.04 W / m  º C ) (1.44 m 2 ) ( 40º C )
= =154 W.. and one is maintained at 100ºC, the other is at
0.015 m
0ºC.
The rate at which the ice melts is (i) Find the total heat current in the bar.
154 W (ii) What percentage is carried by each material.
= 3.36  10 5 J / kg = 0.46 g/s. K for copper = 0.9 cal-cm–1 sec–1 (ºC)–1 ,
and K for steel = 0.12 cal-cm–1 sec–1 (ºC)–1 ,
Sol. The compound bar is shown in fig. The rate of Sol. Since temperature is varying linearly so
flow through copper bar is given by
60 t
T t  C / sec .   C / sec
Q1 K r 2 (T – T ) 10 x 60 10
= 1 1 1 2
t d
Now, dH KA (T1  T2 )

dt 

dH KAT

dt 

dH KAt

dt 10
where r1 is the radius
KAt2
Q1 .  ( 0.5) 2 100
0.9  314 H
 = 20
t 200
for steel bar 200 x 1 x 10 4 x (600 ) 2

Q2 . {(1) 2 – ( 0.5) 2 }]100
0.12[314 20 x 20 x 10  2
=
t 200 = 1800 Joule
(i) Total heat current in the bar
Q Q  Q2 Ex. 6 A metal rod of length 20 cm and diameter
= 1
t t 2 cm is covered with a non conducting
substance. One of its ends is maintained at 100°C
while the other end is put at 0°C. It is found that
.  (0.5) 2 100 012
0.9  314 .  314.  0.75  100
= + 25 g of ice melts in 5 min. Calculate the coefficient
200 200 of thermal conductivity of the metal. Latent heat
.  100
314 of ice = 80 cal gram–1
= [0.9 × 0.25 + 0.12 × 0.75]
200 Sol. Here, length of the rod,
3.14  x = 20 cm = 20 × 10–2 m
= × [0.225 + 0.09] Diameter = 2 cm,
2
radius = r = 1 cm = 10–2 m
.  0.315
314 Area of cross section
=
2 a =  r² =  (10–2)2  sq. m
= 0.4945 cal per second.  T = 100 - 0 = 100°C
(ii) On simplification, we get Mass of ice melted, m = 25g
Q1 0.9  ( 0.5)2 As L = 80 cal.g–1
=  Heat conducted,  Q = mL = 25 × 80
Q 0.9  ( 0.5) 2  0.12  0.75
= 2000 cal = 2000 × 4.2J
0.9  0.25 0.9  t = 5 min = 300 s
= = = 71.42%
0.315 126
.
Q T
Q2 From  KA
= 100 – 71.42 = 28.58% t x
Q
Ex.5 A rod of negligible heat capacity has length 20 2000 x 4.2 x 20 x10 2
cm, area of cross-section 1.0 cm2 and thermal K
conductivity 200 W/m–°C. The temperature of 300 x10  4 x100
one end is maintained at 0°C and that of the =1.78Js–1 m–1 °C–1
ether end is slowly and linearly varied from 0°C
to 60°C in 10 minutes. Assuming no loss of heat
through the sides find the total heat transmitted
through the rod in these 10 minutes.