Mathematical physics problem - heat conduction

In summary, the problem involves determining the temperature difference between the center and surface of a sphere with a radioactive isotope placed inside. The solution does not require the use of spherical bessel functions and can be simplified by considering the governing equation for temperature and the corresponding boundary conditions.
  • #1
asynja
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Homework Statement


There's a radioactive isotope placed inside an iron sphere (R=2cm), which acts as a source of constant heat (P=1W). The isotope is uniformly distributed over a very thin spherical layer (r=1cm). How much higher is temperature in the center of the sphere compared to temperature on sphere's surface, which is constant all the time?

Homework Equations


spherical bessel functions?

The Attempt at a Solution


u(r,t)=[tex]\Sigma[/tex][tex]A_{n}[/tex]([tex]j_{0}[/tex]([tex]k_{n}[/tex]r)-[tex]n_{0}[/tex]([tex]k_{n}[/tex]r)e[tex]^{-k^{2}_{n}tD}[/tex]
I tried to divide problem in two parts: First we have spherical waves going inwards - that's to get the temp. in the centre; Then, we have spherical waves going outwards, where we know what temp. is at r=1cm and search for temp. at r=2cm. But I haven't been able to form the right equations. Also, I am lost at how to perform normalisation to get A[tex]_{n}[/tex] . Can anyone help?
 
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  • #2
Spherical bessel functions aren't necessary here; the problem is much simpler. What is the governing equation for temperature in the sphere for [itex]r<1\,\mathrm{cm}[/itex] and [itex]r>1\,\mathrm{cm}[/itex], and what are the boundary conditions?
 

1. What is heat conduction?

Heat conduction is a process in which heat energy is transferred from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature within a medium, such as a solid, liquid, or gas, through direct contact.

2. How is heat conduction mathematically described?

The mathematical description of heat conduction is given by the heat equation, also known as the diffusion equation. It is a partial differential equation that relates the rate of heat transfer to the temperature distribution in a medium.

3. What factors affect heat conduction?

The rate of heat conduction is affected by several factors, including the temperature difference between the two regions, the thermal conductivity of the medium, the distance over which heat is transferred, and the surface area and thickness of the medium.

4. How is heat conduction used in real-world applications?

Heat conduction is a fundamental process in many engineering and scientific applications. It is used in the design of heating and cooling systems, heat exchangers, and insulation materials. It also plays a crucial role in fields such as geophysics, meteorology, and materials science.

5. What are some common challenges in solving mathematical physics problems related to heat conduction?

Solving mathematical physics problems related to heat conduction can be challenging due to the complexity of the heat equation and the need to consider various boundary and initial conditions. The use of numerical methods and computer simulations is often necessary to obtain accurate solutions.

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