about thermal diffusivity

[namihabib]

if thermal diffusivity is much greater.....what is predicted regarding the temp of the body?...will it be higher...as the cp in denominator is higher?...ans specifically to the point raised pls.

 

[corus]

Thermal diffusivity is alpha = k \{\rho c_p}. If the diffusivity is low then the rate of change of temperature is low. If the diffusivity is high then the change in temperature is high. In the limit, as diffusivity tends to infinity, then steady state conditions occur throughout time.

 

[IRstuff]

Diffusivity applies ONLY to transient conditions. In steady state, the diffusivity, per se, is irrelevant, but its component that is the thermal conductivity is relevant to the ultimate temperature distribution. For your specific example, there is no way to absolutely predict the steady state temperature, since the specific thermal conductivities are not specified.

TTFN
faq731-376

Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529


Of course I can. I can do anything. I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
There is a homework forum hosted by engineering.com:

http://www.engineering.com/AskForum/aff/32.aspx