Calculating Thermal Resistance for Convection: Solving for Unknown Area

  • Thread starter Thread starter williamx11373
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Heat Heat transfer
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating thermal resistance for convection using the formula R = 1/hA, where R represents thermal resistance, h is the convective heat transfer coefficient, and A is the area. When the area is unknown, participants suggest assuming a width of 1 meter to derive a resistance per unit area, resulting in a value of 1/4 ohm per square meter. If a specific area, such as 1/2 m², is provided, the resistance can be calculated directly or adjusted accordingly, yielding a resistance of 1/8 ohm. The thickness of the material is clarified to be equivalent to h in the equation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermal resistance concepts
  • Familiarity with convective heat transfer coefficients
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations
  • Knowledge of units of measurement in thermal calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of varying convective heat transfer coefficients on thermal resistance
  • Learn about different methods for measuring thermal resistance in materials
  • Explore the relationship between area and thermal resistance in practical applications
  • Study the principles of heat transfer in fluid dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, physicists, and students studying thermodynamics or heat transfer, particularly those involved in designing systems that require thermal management.

williamx11373
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
I need to use the equation below ( thermal resistance for convection)

R= 1/hAbut I am not given an Area, I am only given 4 meters as a thickness. how do I find A to use for the equation to solve for R.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
How about assuming a width of 1 m? (And this assumption would need to be stated when referring to the resulting R value.)
 
well, if we make up our own are size... we'll get a resistance per unit area... so use like 1 m^2 for your area and R will be 1/4 ohm per meter^2

Then if we are actually given an area like 1/2 m^2 we could use the above equation or just times it by 1/4 to get 1/8 ohms.

not sure what else you could do with that given values.

edit: thickness = h ... right?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
22
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
6K
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K