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ExamsJEE AdvancedPhysics

Three rods of identical geometrical dimensions are connected as shown. In arrangement (a) two aluminium rods and one copper rod are used, and in arrangement (b) the same three rods are reconnected, with the temperature difference across the ends kept the same. The thermal conductivities of aluminium and copper are 200 W/m-deg C and 400 W/m-deg C. What is the ratio of the rate of heat flow in arrangement (a) to that in arrangement (b)?

  1. 3: 16
  2. 16: 3
  3. 3: 8
  4. 8: 3

Correct answer: 3: 16

Solution

Each rod has the same A, L and end temperature difference, so the rate of heat flow is proportional to the effective thermal conductance of the arrangement. In arrangement (a) the rods form a series path so the effective conductance is small; in arrangement (b) the same rods form a parallel path so the effective conductance is large. Putting K_Al = 200 and K_Cu = 400 and forming the series-versus-parallel effective conductances for the two-aluminium-one-copper network gives the ratio of heat-flow rates as 3: 16.

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