Temperature at a junction between two rods?

In summary, a girl needs to transfer heat from a pan of boiling water to a mixture of ice and water. She uses a copper rod and an aluminum rod, but neither are long enough to reach the desired location. She cuts a length from the aluminum rod and welds it to the copper rod to create a longer rod. After steady-state heat flow is achieved, she measures the temperature at the junction between the two rods. The solution involves using the First Law of Thermodynamics and the principle of conduction, and equating the heat transfer in the copper rod with the heat transfer in the aluminum rod.
  • #1
scarlson1193
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Homework Statement



A girl needs a rod that will carry heat from a pan of boiling water to a mixture of ice and water so that the ice will melt more quickly. She has a copper rod of diameter DCu and an aluminum rod of diameter DAl, neither of which is long enough to reach from the pan to the ice-water mixture.

The longest rod is the copper rod of length LCu. She cuts a length LAl from the aluminum rod and welds it to the copper rod so that the total L will reach between the pan and ice-water mixture. After steady-state heat flow is achieved, she measures the temperature at the junction between two rods. What is that temperature?

Homework Equations



First Law of Thermodynamics, where the change in internal energy is equal to the heat added to the system plus the work done by the system.

As well as conduction,
hcon1.gif


The Attempt at a Solution



Well, we know that we are dealing with solid metals to transfer the heat, so we use conduction. We are looking for the temperature at the junction, and so far, my group could only figure out how to get the heat of the entire system, instead of the junction.
 
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  • #2
At steady-state heat flow, the heat transfer in the Cu rod = heat transfer in Al rod. And the cold junction in one rod is the hot junction in another. So equate the two.
 

1. What is the significance of measuring the temperature at a junction between two rods?

Measuring the temperature at a junction between two rods is important because it can provide information about the flow of heat between the two rods. This can help in understanding the thermal conductivity and heat transfer properties of the materials used for the rods.

2. How can the temperature at a junction between two rods be measured?

The temperature at a junction between two rods can be measured using a thermometer or a thermocouple. These instruments can be placed at the junction to directly measure the temperature at that specific point.

3. What factors can affect the temperature at a junction between two rods?

The temperature at a junction between two rods can be affected by factors such as the thermal conductivity of the materials used for the rods, the rate of heat transfer, and the environmental conditions surrounding the junction.

4. How does the temperature at a junction between two rods change over time?

The temperature at a junction between two rods can change over time depending on the heat flow between the two rods. If there is a difference in temperature between the two rods, heat will flow from the hotter rod to the colder one, resulting in a change in temperature at the junction.

5. What implications does the temperature at a junction between two rods have in real-world applications?

The temperature at a junction between two rods is important in various fields such as engineering, materials science, and thermodynamics. It can help in designing efficient heat transfer systems and understanding the behavior of different materials when exposed to heat. Additionally, it can also be used to monitor and control the temperature in various industrial processes.

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