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Ch 19: Work, Heat, and the First Law of Thermodynamics
Chapter 19, Problem 19

The ends of a 20-cm-long, 2.0-cm-diameter rod are maintained at 0°C and 100°C by immersion in an ice-water bath and boiling water. Heat is conducted through the rod at 4.5×10^4 J per hour. Of what material is the rod made?

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Heat Conduction

Heat conduction is the process by which thermal energy is transferred through a material without any movement of the material itself. It occurs due to temperature differences, where heat flows from the hotter region to the cooler region. The rate of heat transfer can be described by Fourier's law, which states that the heat transfer rate is proportional to the temperature gradient and the area through which heat is conducted.
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Thermal Conductivity

Thermal conductivity is a material property that indicates how well a material can conduct heat. It is defined as the amount of heat that passes through a unit area of the material per unit time for a unit temperature difference. Different materials have different thermal conductivities, which is crucial for determining the material of the rod in the given problem based on the heat transfer rate.
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Material Properties and Heat Transfer

The properties of materials, such as density, specific heat, and thermal conductivity, play a significant role in heat transfer processes. In this context, knowing the heat transfer rate and the dimensions of the rod allows us to calculate the thermal conductivity and, subsequently, identify the material. Common materials like metals, plastics, and ceramics have distinct thermal conductivities, which can be compared to find the rod's composition.
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Overview of Heat Transfer