Heat Transfer - Conduction and Convection - NEET Physics Questions
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Heat Transfer - Conduction and Convection

Question 11: easy

A slab consists of two parallel layers of two different materials of same thickness having thermal conductivities K1 and K2. The equivalent conductivity of the combination is

1. \[ K_{1}+K_{2}\]
2. \[ \frac{K_{1}+K_{2}}{2}\]
3. \[ \frac{2K_{1}K_{2}}{K_{1}+K_{2}}\]
4. \[ \frac{K_{1}+K_{2}}{2K_{1}K_{2}}\]
View Answer

Given:

- Layer 1: Thermal conductivity \(K_1\)
- Layer 2: Thermal conductivity \(K_2\)
- Thickness of each layer: \(d\)

Formula for Equivalent Thermal Conductivity

The equivalent thermal conductivity for two parallel layers of the same thickness can be given by:

\[
K_{eq} = \frac{K_1 + K_2}{2}
\]

Derivation:

1. Resistance of Each Layer:
The thermal resistance for each layer can be expressed as:
\[
R_1 = \frac{d}{K_1 A}, \quad R_2 = \frac{d}{K_2 A}
\]
where \(A\) is the cross-sectional area.

2. Total Resistance in Parallel:
The total resistance for two resistors in parallel is:
\[
\frac{1}{R_{eq}} = \frac{1}{R_1} + \frac{1}{R_2}
\]
Substituting the resistances, we get:
\[
\frac{1}{R_{eq}} = \frac{K_1 A}{d} + \frac{K_2 A}{d}
\]
Simplifying:
\[
\frac{1}{R_{eq}} = \frac{A}{d} \left(K_1 + K_2\right)
\]

3. Total Conductivity:
Now, the equivalent conductivity can be expressed as:
\[
K_{eq} = \frac{d}{A} \cdot \frac{1}{R_{eq}} = \frac{d}{A} \cdot \frac{d}{A (K_1 + K_2)} = \frac{K_1 + K_2}{2}
\]

Conclusion:
Thus, for two parallel layers of materials with equal thickness, the correct equivalent thermal conductivity is:

\[
K_{eq} = \frac{K_1 + K_2}{2}
\]

Question 12: easy

The layers of atmosphere are heated through

1. Convection
2. Conduction
3. Radiation
4. Both (1) & (3)
View Answer

Convection is the process by which heat is transferred through the movement of fluids, including gases like air. In the atmosphere, convection occurs when warm air rises and cool air sinks.

Here's a short explanation of how this works:

1. Heating the Surface: The sun heats the Earth's surface, which in turn warms the air above it.
2. Rising Warm Air: As the air warms, it becomes less dense and rises.
3. Cooling and Sinking: Once the warm air rises, it cools down at higher altitudes, becomes denser, and eventually sinks back down.
4. Cycle Continuation: This cycle of rising warm air and sinking cool air creates convection currents, which distribute heat throughout the atmosphere, influencing weather patterns and temperature distribution.

Overall, convection plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate and weather systems.

Question 13: easy

The temperature gradient in a rod of 0.5 m long is 80ºC/m. If the temperature of hotter end of the rod is 30°C, then the temperature of the colder end is

1. 40°C
2. -10°C
3. 10°C
4. 0°C
View Answer

The temperature gradient is the rate at which temperature changes with respect to distance. It's given as \( 80^\circ \text{C/m} \), and the length of the rod is \( 0.5 \, \text{m} \).

To find the temperature difference across the rod, we use the formula:

\[
\Delta T = \text{Temperature gradient} \times \text{Length}
\]

Substitute the values:

\[
\Delta T = 80^\circ \text{C/m} \times 0.5 \, \text{m} = 40^\circ \text{C}
\]

Now, the temperature at the hotter end is given as \( 30^\circ \text{C} \), so the temperature at the colder end is:

\[
T_{\text{colder end}} = T_{\text{hotter end}} - \Delta T
\]

Substituting the values:

\[
T_{\text{colder end}} = 30^\circ \text{C} - 40^\circ \text{C} = -10^\circ \text{C}
\]

Therefore, the temperature at the colder end of the rod is \(-10^\circ \text{C}\).

Question 14: moderate

The ratio of thermal conductivity of two rods of different material is 5 : 4. The two rods of same area of cross-section and same thermal resistance will have the length in the ratio

1. 4 : 5
2. 9 : 1
3. 1 : 9
4. 5 : 4
View Answer

Given that the thermal resistance is the same for both rods, we have the equation:

\[
\frac{L_1}{K_1} = \frac{L_2}{K_2}
\]

So, the ratio of lengths is:

\[
\frac{L_1}{L_2} = \frac{K_1}{K_2}
\]

If the ratio of the thermal conductivities \(K_1:K_2 = 5:4\), the ratio of the lengths will be the same:

\[
\frac{L_1}{L_2} = \frac{5}{4}
\]

Therefore, the correct ratio of the lengths is \(5:4\).

Question 15: easy

Five rods of same dimensions are arranged as shown in the figure. They have thermal conductivities K1, K2, K3, K4 and K5. When points A and C are maintained at different temperature, no heat flows through the central rod if

1. K1 = K4 and K2 = K3
2. K1K4 = K2K3
3. K1K2 = K3K4
4. \frac{K_{1}}{K_{4}}=\frac{K_{2}}{K_{3}}
View Answer

No heat flows through the central rod \(K_5\) if the system is balanced like a Wheatstone bridge. The condition for this is:

\[
\frac{K_1}{K_2} = \frac{K_3}{K_4}
\]

This ensures that the temperature difference between points B and D is zero, preventing any heat flow through \(K_5\).