PROBLEM 2.

52
KNOWN: Temperature as a function of position and time in a plane wall suddenly subjected to a
change in surface temperature, while the other surface is insulated.
FIND: (a) Validate the temperature distribution, (b) Heat fluxes at x = 0 and x = L, (c) Sketch of
temperature distribution at selected times and surface heat flux variation with time, (d) Effect of
thermal diffusivity on system response.
SCHEMATIC:

ASSUMPTIONS: (1) One-dimensional conduction in x, (2) Constant properties.

ANALYSIS: (a) To be valid, the temperature distribution must satisfy the appropriate forms of the
heat equation and boundary conditions. Substituting the distribution into Equation 2.19, it follows that

∂ 2T 1∂ T
=
∂ x2 α ∂ t
⎛ π 2 α t ⎞ ⎛ π ⎞2 ⎛π x ⎞
−C1 ( Ti − Ts ) exp ⎜ − ⎟⎜ ⎟ cos ⎜ ⎟
⎜ 4 L2 ⎟ ⎝ 2L ⎠ ⎝ 2 L⎠
⎝ ⎠

C ⎛π2 α ⎞ ⎛ π 2 αt ⎞ ⎛π x ⎞
= − 1 ( Ti − Ts ) ⎜ ⎟ exp ⎜ − ⎟ cos ⎜ ⎟. <
α ⎜ 4 L2 ⎟ ⎜ 4 L2 ⎟ ⎝ 2 L⎠
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠
Hence, the heat equation is satisfied. Applying boundary conditions at x = 0 and x = L, it follows that

∂ T Cπ ⎛ π 2 αt ⎞ ⎛ π x ⎞
|x=0 = − 1 ( Ti − Ts ) exp ⎜ − ⎟ sin =0 <
⎜ 4 L2 ⎟ ⎜⎝ 2 L ⎟⎠ x=0
|
∂ x 2L
⎝ ⎠
and

⎛ π 2 αt ⎞ ⎛π x ⎞
T ( L,t ) = Ts + C1 ( Ti − Ts ) exp ⎜ − ⎟ cos ⎜ ⎟ |x=L = Ts . <
⎜ 4 L ⎟2 ⎝ 2 L⎠
⎝ ⎠
Hence, the boundary conditions are also satisfied.
(b) The heat flux has the form

∂ T kC π ⎛ π 2 αt ⎞ ⎛ π x ⎞
q′′x = − k = + 1 ( Ti − Ts ) exp ⎜ − ⎟ sin
⎜ 4 L2 ⎟ ⎜⎝ 2 L ⎟⎠
.
∂ x 2L
⎝ ⎠
Continued …..

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 PROBLEM 2.52 (Cont.)

Hence, q′′x ( 0 ) = 0, <

kC1π ⎛ π 2 αt ⎞
q′′x ( L ) = + ( Ti − Ts ) exp ⎜⎜ − ⎟. <
2L 4 L2 ⎟
⎝ ⎠

(c) The temperature distribution and surface heat flux variations are:

(d) For materials A and B of different α,

⎡⎣T ( x,t ) − Ts ⎤⎦ ⎡ 2 ⎤
A = exp ⎢ − π (α − α ) t ⎥
⎣⎡T ( x,t ) − Ts ⎦⎤
A B
B ⎢⎣ 4L2 ⎥⎦

Hence, if α A > α B , T ( x,t ) → Ts more rapidly for Material A. If α A < α B , T ( x,t ) → Ts more

rapidly for Material B. <

COMMENTS: Note that the prescribed function for T(x,t) does not reduce to Ti for t → 0. For
times at or close to zero, the function is not a valid solution of the problem. At such times, the
solution for T(x,t) must include additional terms. The solution is considered in Section 5.5.1 of the
text.

Excerpts from this work may be reproduced by instructors for distribution on a not-for-profit basis for testing or instructional purposes only to students enrolled in
courses for which the textbook has been adopted. Any other reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted by Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976
United States Copyright Act without the permission of the copyright owner is unlawful.