Comparing two functions and determining coefficients. I get 1/1.

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Mamed
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Coefficients Functions
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around finding coefficients by comparing two equations related to thermal resistance in a cylindrical system. Participants explore the relationships between these coefficients and the physical parameters involved, including thermal conductivity and temperature distributions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents two equations and proposes relationships between coefficients k1 and k2 and resistances R1 and R2.
  • Another participant questions the absence of equality signs in the initial equations and seeks clarification on whether the functions are assumed to be equal.
  • A later reply introduces a more complex expression for T_m and suggests that coefficients k1 and k2 are derived from comparing terms in the equations.
  • Concerns are raised about the presence of additional terms in the equations for R1 and R2 that are not reflected in k1 and k2.
  • One participant explains the context of the problem, indicating it involves a cylinder with no internal heat generation and describes the relationship between temperatures and resistances.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need for complete context to understand the derivation of the solution, prompting requests for more details about the problem setup.
  • Further clarification is provided regarding the physical setup, including the definitions of r1, r2, and the thermal resistance model used.
  • One participant notes that the fractions of R1 and R2 relative to the total resistance sum to 1, suggesting a potential simplification in calculations.
  • Concerns are raised about the complexity of the thermal resistance formulas and the need to consider the correct area for heat flow in calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and agreement on the relationships between the coefficients and resistances, with some suggesting that additional context is necessary for clarity. Multiple competing views on the derivation and interpretation of the equations remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the physical setup and assumptions underlying the equations, including the implications of heat flow direction and the definitions of thermal resistance in cylindrical coordinates.

Mamed
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
The objective is to find some coefficients by comparing two equations.


<br /> T_2 \cdot \frac{R_1}{R_1+R_2} + T_1 \cdot \frac{R_2}{R_1+R_2}

and

T_2 \cdot k_1 + T_1 \cdot k_2

I compare and set


k_1 = \frac{R_1}{R_1+R_2} (1)

k_2 = \frac{R_2}{R_1+R_2} (2)

I expand the equations and throw them around

(1) -&gt; R_1 = R_2 \cdot \frac{k_1}{1-k_1} (3)
(2) -&gt; R_2 = R_1 \cdot \frac{k_2}{1-k_2} (4)

I put in (3) in (4) and get


R_2 = R_2 \cdot \frac{k_1}{1-k_1} \cdot \frac{k_2}{1-k_2} -&gt; 1 = \frac{k_1}{1-k_1} \cdot \frac{k_2}{1-k_2}

So i don't know how to get the values of R_1 and R_2 as a function of k_1 and k_2.

The solution for this is given and is correct when I put it in the equations above and it fulfills everything but i just don't know how he has gotten it.

k_x is a long function based on parameters that i just rebrand for simplicity.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Mamed said:
The objective is to find some coefficients by comparing two equations.


<br /> T_2 \cdot \frac{R_1}{R_1+R_2} + T_1 \cdot \frac{R_2}{R_1+R_2}

and

T_2 \cdot k_1 + T_1 \cdot k_2

If those are two equations then where are the "=" signs? Do you mean "functions" instead of "equations"? Are the two functions assumed to be equal?
 
No they have it all expressed as

<br /> T_m = T_2 \underbrace{\left( \frac{\displaystyle r_2^2}{\displaystyle r_2^2-r_1^2}-\frac{\displaystyle 1}{ \displaystyle 2 \ln{\left( \displaystyle r_2 / r_1 \right) }} \right)}_{k_1} + T_1 <br /> <br /> \underbrace{\left( \frac{ \displaystyle 1}{\displaystyle 2 \ln{\left(\displaystyle r_2 / r_1 \right) }}-\frac{\displaystyle r_1^2}{\displaystyle r_2^2-r_1^2} \right)}_{k_2}<br />

and then they have the equation as i have given above

T_m = T_2 \cdot \frac{\displaystyle R_1}{\displaystyle R_1+R_2} + T_1 \cdot \frac{\displaystyle R_2}{\displaystyle R_1+R_2}

And then they say "Comparing the coefficients of T_1 and T_2 in the two equations we get"

<br /> R_1 = \frac{1}{\displaystyle 4\pi kL} \left( \frac{\displaystyle 2r_2^2\ln{\left(r_2/r_1\right)} }{\displaystyle r_2^2-r_1^2}-1 \right)<br />

<br /> R_2 = \frac{1}{\displaystyle 4\pi kL} \left( 1- \frac{\displaystyle 2r_1^2\ln{\left(r_2/r_1\right)} }{\displaystyle r_2^2-r_1^2} \right)<br /> <br />

What i want to know is how they arrive at the values for R_1 and R_2
 
There must be something else you are not telling because the equations for R1 and R2 contain 1/(4.pi.k.L) ...which is nowhere in the coefficients k1 and k2...
 
Those are for thermal conductivity and and the length, when you put them in the equation they are canceled out.

Tm is a mean temperature in an lumped parameter cylinder with no internal heat generation. And that's how they arrive at the solution. No further explaining done. And i want to know how they arrive at the solution rather than just look at the solution. Not holding back anything.
 
Then, maybe you need to reveal the entire problem at hand...we are driving blind here...without knowing the context...maybe if we knew more...for example, you just revealed that we are talking about a cylinder without internal heat generation...what can you tell about T1 and T2, where are they supposed to be?

Sparing us from the details is not working...tell us everything, now.
 
lol ok, the r2 is outer radius at temperature T2 and r1 is inner with T1. L is the length.

And the resistance is set so that

T1----R1-----Tm------R2------T2--->Q

If we use Ohms law here, then Tm = T2+Q*R2

We know that Q = (T1-T2)/(R1+R2) -> Tm = T2 + R2*(T1-T2)/(R1+R2)

Tm = T2*R1/(R1+R2) + T1*R2/(R1+R2)

Thats the equation form the beginning and then he has the other equation that he compares with which i have already given. And then he magically arrives at that solution.

That specific equation he derives form a cylinder with the equationd^2T/dr^2 + 1/r* dT/dr + g/k = 0 but here g = 0 as there is no internal heat generation.
 
Hhhmmm..

So, if R1 and R2 add up to the total thermal resistance in the radial direction of the cylinder (tube, rather)...then

R1/(R1+R2) is a fraction of it (a number less than 1.0), and

R2/(R1+R2) is another fraction ( <1.0) and complementary...

meaning, together, they add up to 1, correct?

R1/(R1+R2) + R2/(R1+R2) = (R1+R2)/(R1+R2) = 1.0

that means that also k1+k2=1 ...the knowledge of this may help you in your calculations

Also, those formulas about the thermal resistance look too complicated...why do you have r2 in there? Make sure that when calculating the thermal resistance you do not mix what the cross-sectional area available for heat flow is...in other words, if the heat is flowing from the inside wall of the cylinder to the outside wall...the area for flow at a given radius is 2∏rL ...this appears in the denominator of the formula for resistance:

dR = dr/(2∏rLκ)

when you integrate this over a given range, you do not have r2, you just get a difference of ln:

(ln(R2)-ln(R1))

Now, if the heat is flowing in the axial direction of the cylinder, well, then the area available for heat flow does include r2...so, just make sure you have all your ducks in a row...
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K