Assignment 2

1. The heat conduction equation in a solid medium with constant thermal conductivity in a
generic form applicable to any coordinate system can be written as
T
(a) c p = 2T + Q
t
T
(b) c p = 2T + Q
t
T
(c) = k 2T + Q
t
T Q
(d) = 2T +
t cp

where 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, and is the thermal diffusivity.

2. The back surface of a plate is heated at the rate of 50 W/m 2 and the front surface is cooled
at the rate of 50 W/m 2 . The thermal conductivity of the plate is constant and there is no
heat generation within the plate. Considering one-dimensional, steady state heat transfer,
which one is the CORRECT statement?
(a) The problem is physically consistent and well posed boundary value problem.
(b) The problem is physically consistent, but ill posed boundary value problem.
(c) The problem is physically inconsistent and ill posed boundary value problem.
. (d) The problem is physically inconsistent, but well posed boundary value problem.

3. Consider one-dimensional heat conduction along x-axis ( 0 x L ), through a plane wall.

One end of the wall ( x = L ) is cooled by air flow at T . The heat transfer coefficient
T
between the air and the wall at x = L is h. The equation k = h (Tx = L T ) at a solid
x x= L

wall ( x = L ) in contact with an flow of air is valid only when

(a) k is thermal conductivity of the fluid
(b) steady state prevails
(c) h is a constant
(d) radiation heat transfer is negligible

4. A plane wall of thickness 2L has a uniform volumetric heat source Q (W/m3). The
temperatures at both the ends (x = L) are same and equal to Tw . Considering one-
dimensional steady state heat conduction across the thickness of the wall, the temperature
 at the mid-plane (x=0) of the wall, T0 under steady-state condition (where k is the
thermal conductivity of the wall material) is given by
QL
(a) T0 = Tw +
k
QL2
(b) T0 = Tw +
2k
QL3
(c) T0 = Tw +
2k
QL2
(d) T0 = Tw +
k
5. Consider one-dimensional steady state heat conduction along x-axis ( 0 x L ), through
a plane wall with the boundary surfaces ( x=0 and x=L) maintained at same temperature
equal to 100C. Heat is generated uniformly throughout the wall. Choose the CORRECT
statement.
(a) The temperature distribution is linear within the wall
(b) The temperature distribution is parabolic within the wall
(c) The temperature distribution is linear and symmetric about the mid-plane of the wall.
(d) The temperature distribution is parabolic and symmetric about the mid-plane of the
wall.
6. Consider steady-state heat conduction across the thickness in a plane wall of thickness
0.6 m. The wall has a normal area 1.5 m2 and is made up of material of thermal
conductivity 0.4 W/mC. There is no generation of thermal energy within the wall. The
temperatures on the two sides are 800C and 300C. What is the thermal resistance of the
wall?
(a) 1 W/C
(b) 1 C /W
(c) 1.8 W/C
(d) 1.8 C /W
7. Consider steady-state heat conduction across the thickness in a plane composite wall
having n layers exposed to convection conditions on both sides. There is no generation of
thermal energy within the wall. The thickness of the ith layer is ti , thermal conductivity of
the ith layer is ki , convective heat transfer coefficient is h. Assuming negligible contact
resistance between the wall surfaces, the thermal resistance per unit normal area can be
expressed as
1
(a)
1 n t 1
+ i +
hi i =1 ki hn
 1 n ti 1
(b) + +
hi i =1 ki hn

1
(c) n t
hi + i + hn
i =1 ki

n ti
(d) hi + + hn
i =1 k
i

8 A composite wall having three layers of thickness 0.3 m, 0.2 m and 0.1 m and of thermal
conductivities 0.6, 0.4 and 0.1 W/mC, respectively, is having surface area 1 m2. There is
no generation of thermal energy within the wall. If the inner and outer temperatures of the
composite wall are 1840C and 340C, respectively, what is the rate of heat transfer?
(a) 150 W
(b) 75 W
(c) 750 W
(d) 1500 W
9. Consider steady-state heat conduction across the thickness in a plane composite wall
having two sections as shown in the figure. There is no generation of thermal energy
within the wall. Both the sections of the wall have equal thickness (L). The conductivity
of the left section is k and that of the right section is 2k. The left face of the wall is at 600
K and the right face is at 300 K. Assuming negligible contact resistance between the two
sections, the interface temperature (in K) of the two sections is
(a) 300 K
(b) 400 K
(c) 450 K
300 K
(d) 600 K 600 K
2k
k

L L

10. Consider steady-state heat conduction across the thickness in a plane composite wall
exposed to convection conditions on both sides as shown in the figure. There is no
generation of thermal energy within the wall. It is given that L1 = 0.3 m , L2 = 0.15 m ,
hi = 20 W/m 2 C , ho = 50 W/m 2 C , T ,i = 20C , T ,o = 2C , k1 = 20 W/mC and
k2 = 50 W/mC . Assuming negligible contact resistance between the wall surfaces, the
interface temperature (in C) of the two walls is
 (a) -0.50
(b) 2.75
(c) 3.75
(d) 4.50 hi, T,i
ho, T,o
k2
k1

L1 L2

Answer to Home Assignment Questions:

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