Detailed Summary of Conduction
Conduction is defined as the transfer of heat energy through a material as a result of temperature differences between its parts. When one end of a metallic rod is heated, heat flows from the hotter end to the cooler end until thermal equilibrium is reached. This process occurs through molecular vibrations and collisions without any actual movement of the material itself.
The rate of heat transfer by conduction, known as the heat current, can be mathematically described by the equation:
$$H = K \frac{A( T_C - T_D)}{L}$$
Where:
- H = rate of heat flow (heat current)
- K = thermal conductivity, a material property that indicates how well the material conducts heat
- A = cross-sectional area of the rod
- T_C = temperature at one end of the rod (hot end)
- T_D = temperature at the other end of the rod (cold end)
- L = length of the rod
The thermal conductivity (K) varies among different materials, with metals generally exhibiting high thermal conductivity while gases demonstrate low conductivity. This section discusses applications of these principles in real-world contexts, such as cooking utensils and thermal insulation in buildings.