Heat Conduction in a Cube: Calculating Temperature Over Time

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To calculate the temperature distribution in a cube when heat is applied to one side, several variables must be considered, including the material properties, initial temperature, and method of heat application. The heat transfer is not linear due to heat loss from the cube's sides, complicating the calculation. Fourier's law can be applied if the cube is insulated, but in this case, the heat loss must be accounted for as it spreads. A mathematical model can be developed using the heat conduction differential equation, but it may require numerical methods for a solution. Tools like MATLAB or Mathematica can be useful for approximating the results, particularly if an analytical solution is not feasible.
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If heat is applied to one side of a cube, how can the temperature at different distances into the cube be calculated after different amounts of time have elapsed?
 
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Have you tried looking at the wikipedia entry for heat conduction?
 
but the flow of heat isn't linear it will escape from the sides of the cube
 
well? how can i solve?
 
There's a lot of unknown variables:

What material is the 'cube' made from?

what is the temperature starting?--how much is applied?

is it in a vacuum?

is the heat applied to a side? (where on the side?) or to a corner of the side?

how big is the cube?

What is the method of applying the heat?
 
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its not in a vacuum, its in air, it starts at the same temperature as the surroundings, the heat is applied to one full square side of the cube. If the sides of the cube were insulate then i could use Fourier's law however they are not so heat will be lost as it spreads throughout the cube at a different rate as the heated surface area will increase. It should be possible to calculate but I can't figure it out...
 
Since you're building a mathematical model for this,

- What's the differential which governs the temperature of the cube as a function of time and distance?
- What is the boundary condition at each of the faces of the cube? Is the heat influx constant at one face, or is the temperature kept constant?

Check the relevant chapters in your text. It should have what you're looking for.
 
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I just tried heating a cube of butter...
 
I agree with siddarth. This is the basic heat conduction differential equation with some specified material properties and boundary conditions. Refer to your textbook on how to set up the problem.

My guess is that the resulting partial differential equation won't have an analytical solution and you will need to use a numerical solver. If you are familiar with MATLAB or mathematica they should be able to meet your needs.
 
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  • #10
And, if you can accept an approximate answer, FEA is the easy way to do this.
 

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