Thermal Analogy to Ohm's Law:
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The thermal analogy to Ohm's Law describes heat transfer in a manner similar to electrical circuits. Temperature difference (ΔT) is analogous to voltage, heat flow rate (q) is analogous to current, and thermal resistance (Rth) is analogous to electrical resistance.
The calculator uses the thermal analogy formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the temperature difference across a material when heat flows through it, considering the material's resistance to heat flow.
Details: Calculating temperature difference is crucial for thermal management in electronic devices, building insulation design, heat exchanger optimization, and various engineering applications involving heat transfer.
Tips: Enter heat flow rate in watts and thermal resistance in Kelvin per Watt. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is thermal resistance?
A: Thermal resistance is a measure of a material's opposition to heat flow, similar to electrical resistance opposing current flow.
Q2: How is this analogy useful in practical applications?
A: It allows engineers to analyze complex thermal systems using familiar electrical circuit analysis techniques and tools.
Q3: What are typical units for thermal resistance?
A: Thermal resistance is typically measured in Kelvin per Watt (K/W) in the SI system.
Q4: Can this formula be used for composite materials?
A: Yes, for multiple layers in series, total thermal resistance is the sum of individual resistances, similar to electrical resistors in series.
Q5: What factors affect thermal resistance?
A: Material thickness, thermal conductivity, surface area, and convection/radiation conditions all affect thermal resistance.