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Thermal
Plane Wall Heat Conduction
Enter values in the stated units. Example inputs are provided to help you explore the method.
Results
Your results will appear here after calculation. Changing an input clears the previous result.
Method & assumptions
- For steady one-dimensional conduction, heat rate = kAΔT/L and wall resistance = L/(kA).
- Example: k = 0.04 W/(m·K), A = 10 m², L = 0.1 m and ΔT = 20 K gives 80 W, 8 W/m² and 0.25 K/W. Conductivity here is illustrative; use a value appropriate to the material and operating temperature.
- The temperature difference is between wall surfaces, not surrounding air. A negative difference reverses the heat-flow direction.
- Assumes constant conductivity, no internal heat generation and negligible edge effects. Excludes surface convection, radiation, contact resistance and thermal bridges.
- Source: https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-2/pages/1-6-mechanisms-of-heat-transfer