The temperature distribution for a sphere for steady state heat flow a...
Understanding Steady State Heat Flow in a Sphere
In a sphere with steady-state heat conduction and constant thermal conductivity, the temperature distribution is derived from the principles of heat transfer.
Key Concepts
- Steady-State Condition: This implies that the temperature within the sphere does not change with time. The heat entering a volume equals the heat leaving it.
- Spherical Coordinates: The analysis is conducted in spherical coordinates (r, θ, φ), where 'r' represents the radial distance from the center of the sphere.
Mathematical Derivation
- Heat Equation: The heat conduction equation in spherical coordinates leads to a differential equation where the radial temperature distribution depends only on the radial distance 'r'.
- Boundary Conditions: By applying appropriate boundary conditions (such as temperatures at the surface or center), we can solve the differential equation to find the temperature profile.
Temperature Distribution
- Hyperbolic Nature: The solution to the differential equation results in a hyperbolic relationship, typically represented as:
- T(r) = A + B * ln(r), where A and B are constants determined by boundary conditions.
- Physical Interpretation: This hyperbolic behavior indicates that as one moves from the center to the surface of the sphere, the temperature decreases logarithmically, which is characteristic of heat conduction in spherical bodies.
Conclusion
The temperature distribution in a sphere under steady-state conditions and constant thermal conductivity indeed exhibits a hyperbolic nature, making option 'C' the correct answer. Understanding this concept is crucial for applications in thermal management and engineering designs involving spherical geometries.
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