Can You Calculate Heat Conductivity with These Simple Variables?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating heat conductivity and temperature differences across materials. Participants explore the relationship between material properties, thickness, and temperature on either side of a material, focusing on the practical application of thermal conductivity in heat transfer scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about calculating the temperature on one side of a material given the thickness and temperature on the other side, suggesting a need for a straightforward method.
  • One participant mentions the thermal conductivity formula, indicating its relevance in applications like designing heatsinks for electronic equipment.
  • Another participant emphasizes that to determine the rate of heat flow, both temperatures are necessary, while also questioning how one could know the rate of heat flow without prior temperature knowledge.
  • A later reply suggests that knowing the rate of heat flow could be possible if it is applied externally, such as with a heater.
  • One participant provides a formula for heat transfer, detailing the variables involved, including thermal conductivity and temperature differences, while also noting that temperature can be expressed in Celsius or Kelvin.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of knowing both temperatures to calculate heat flow, with some asserting it is essential while others propose alternative methods of determining heat flow.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the conditions under which heat transfer calculations can be made, particularly concerning the application of external heat sources and the definitions of the variables involved.

TheAnt
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Is there an easy way to calculate the temperature on one side of a material if we know what material it is, the thickness of it and the temperature on the other side. Basically can we calculated the heat transferred through a material if heated.
Thank you
 
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TheAnt said:
Is there an easy way to calculate the temperature on one side of a material if we know what material it is, the thickness of it and the temperature on the other side. Basically can we calculated the heat transferred through a material if heated.
Thank you

are you not familiar with the thermal conductivity formula ?
much used in designing heatsinks for electronic equip and other things

have a play in google :smile:
 
TheAnt said:
Is there an easy way to calculate the temperature on one side of a material if we know what material it is, the thickness of it and the temperature on the other side. Basically can we calculated the heat transferred through a material if heated.
Thank you
If you want to know the rate of heat flow, you need to know the temperatures on both sides. If you want to know the temperature on one side (knowing the temperature on the other side), you need to know the rate of heat flow.
 
Chestermiller said:
If you want to know the rate of heat flow, you need to know the temperatures on both sides. If you want to know the temperature on one side (knowing the temperature on the other side), you need to know the rate of heat flow.
Thank you. How would you know the rate of heat flow beforehand? Dont you need to know both temperatures to find heat flow
 
davenn said:
are you not familiar with the thermal conductivity formula ?
much used in designing heatsinks for electronic equip and other things

have a play in google :smile:
thank you
 
TheAnt said:
Thank you. How would you know the rate of heat flow beforehand? Dont you need to know both temperatures to find heat flow
You would know it if you were forcibly applying it with a heater.
 
I think this will help you. As it help me too.
hcon1.gif

In equation form, it looks like this.
Q over t is the rate of heat transfer - the amount of heat transferred per second, measured in Joules per second, or Watts. k is the thermal conductivity of the material - for example, copper has a thermal conductivity of 390, but wool has a thermal conductivity of just 0.04. T1 is the temperature of one object, and T2 is the temperature of the other. Since it's a temperature difference, you can actually use Celsius or Kelvin, whichever is most convenient. And d is the thickness of the material we're interested in.
 

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