Understanding Heat Flow Between Concentric Cylinders

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving the expression for heat flow between two concentric cylinders, specifically the formula P = [(2*pi)*L*k*T] / ln(b/a). Participants are exploring the relationship between heat flow and thermal conductivity, as well as drawing analogies to electric fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to relate the heat flow equation for concentric cylinders to the formula for heat flow across a slab. They express confusion about integrating the radius and how the area and distance parameters translate in this context.

Discussion Status

Some participants have begun to offer mathematical expressions related to the heat flow, indicating a potential direction for the original poster's inquiry. However, there is no explicit consensus on the approach to take, and multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions a lab context, which may impose specific constraints or assumptions that are not fully detailed in the discussion. There is also a reference to using LaTeX for mathematical expressions, suggesting a focus on precise notation in the conversation.

bemigh
Messages
29
Reaction score
0
Hey everyone...
I think I am not picking up on something here...
The rate of heat flow across a slab is:
P = (k*A*T)/D
where k is the thermal conductivity of the medium,
A is the cross sectional medium
and T is the temperature difference
and P is power...

Now.. .for my lab, I am using to concentric cylinders...

and I have to derive this expression for the heat flow between two concentric cylinders:
P = [(2*pi)*L*k*T] / ln(b/a)
where L is the length of the cylinders, and b is the radius of the outer cyliner, and a is the radius of the inner cylinder...

Now the lab is saying that the mathematics is essentially the same as for the electric field between two cylinders, and the heat flow is analogous to the electric flux... but i can't see how that helps me...

My thinking is this... the area A becomes the area of a cylinder, 2*pi*r*L, and D becomes r... but how can I possibly integrate from b to a, because now my r's will cancel?? any help is appreciated...
Cheers
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I'm assuming you have a constant J.
J = -\kappa A \nabla T
J = -\kappa (2 \pi r L) \frac{\partial T}{\partial r}
\frac{dr}{r} = -\kappa (2 \pi L) dT / J
\ln(b/A) = -\kappa (2 \pi L) \Delta T / J
J = -\kappa (2 \pi L) \Delta T / \ln(b/A)
 
thanks a lot for your help,
PS, how do i type that script you use for your reply?
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K