Boundary condition for PDE heat eqaution

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the boundary conditions for the heat equation applied to a 10 cm long insulated bar, initially at 100°C. The heat flow is described by the equation $$\frac{\partial ^2u}{\partial x^2}=\frac{1}{k}\frac{\partial u}{\partial t}$$, where $$u(x,t)$$ represents temperature. The initial condition is set as $$u(x,0)=100$$, while the boundary conditions for $$t>0$$ are defined as $$u(0,t)=u(10,t)=0$$. The confusion arises from the interpretation of insulated sides, clarifying that the insulated sides refer to the curved surfaces, not the ends, which allows heat to flow through the ends of the bar.

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Taylor_1989
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Homework Statement


I am having an issue, not with the maths but with the boundary conditions for this question.

A bar 10 cm long with insulated sides, is initially at ##100 ^\circ##. Starting at ##t=0##
Find the temperature distribution in the bar at time t.

The heat flow equation is

$$\frac{\partial ^2u}{\partial x^2}=\frac{1}{k}\frac{\partial u}{\partial t}$$

where ##u(x,t)## is the tempreture, Because the sides of the bar are insulated, the heat flows only in the, the same happens for a slab of finite thickness but infinitely large.

The initial condition is ##u(x,0)=100## and the boundary condition for ##t>0## is ##
u
(0
,t
) =
u
(10
,t
) = 0.
##

Have read this incorectly but if the sides are insulated then surely the boundary condtions are,

##U_{x}(0,t)=U_{x}(L,t)=0##

as the heat is moving along the x direction?
 
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Taylor_1989 said:
Have read this incorectly but if the sides are insulated then surely the boundary condtions are,

##U_{x}(0,t)=U_{x}(L,t)=0##

as the heat is moving along the x direction?
No. The sides that are insulated are the curved sides, not the ends. That is what makes it a one dimensional flow equation with the heat flowing through the ends. So those partials with respect to ##x## are not zero.
 

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