Heat Flow
The heat equation describes how heat flows through materials.
This experiment allows students to compare theoretical/computational models of this equation with actual measurements in either one-dimensional or two-dimensional systems. (Or both!)
The one-dimensional apparatus is easier to analyze by far: the very nice assembly we have was built by Shemu Ariyasivam and Lisa Pham in September 2016. The two-dimensional apparatus also (Built by Daniel Lund and Eric Ayars, 2012) works great, but the computational modelling for the 2D case is much more difficult. Which you do (or both) is up to you.
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Reading
- Wikipedia entry on the Heat Equation.
- Heat conduction chapter in any university-level physics text (i.e. Section 19.8 of Knight, 4e
- Chapter 8 of Boaz "Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences"
- AJP article on the 2D version of this apparatus, by Patrick McDougall and Eric Ayars.
Location
Room 108, drawer 108.52.
Equipment needed
- Heat flow apparatus
- Hot reservoir (boiling water? Will need a hot plate.)
- Cold reservoir (ice water?)
Cautions/hazards
- Boiling/freezing water.