Thank you for your comments.
I was anticipating responses would be more toward d) and/or e) because the infrared spectrum is short wavelength/high frequency electro-magnetic energy. And, at least in the RF spectrum, high frequency energy propagates on the surface--and increased surface area...
A cylinder is constructed from a super insulator. The dimensions of the cylinder are Length L: 1 M; inside diameter i.d.: 12 mm. The entire Length of the cylinder contains copper (cases described below).
Heat (T > 100C) is continuously applied to the copper on one end of the cylinder...
My work experience includes 20+ years of software development in C++ and 5+ years in Ruby.
Imo, to start, study "Accelerated C++, Practical Programming by Example", by Koenig and Moo
http://amzn.to/12qgjKr
After you've mastered that, get "C++ Programming Language" by Bjarne Stroustrup...