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ExamsJEE AdvancedPhysics

Two rods A and B of equal cross-sectional area and equal length L are joined in series between a hot source at T1 = 100 deg C and a cold sink at T2 = 0 deg C. The lateral surfaces are insulated, and rod A has three times the thermal conductivity of rod B (K_A = 3*K_B). Find the ratio of their thermal resistances, R_A / R_B.

  1. R_A / R_B = 1/3
  2. R_A / R_B = 3
  3. R_A / R_B = 3/4
  4. R_A / R_B = 4/3

Correct answer: R_A / R_B = 1/3

Solution

Thermal resistance is R = L/(K*A). Since rods A and B have the same length L and the same area A, the ratio of resistances depends only on conductivities: R_A/R_B = (L/(K_A*A)) / (L/(K_B*A)) = K_B/K_A. With K_A = 3*K_B this gives R_A/R_B = K_B/(3*K_B) = 1/3. The better conductor (A) has the smaller thermal resistance.

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