ME-334 Heat and Mass Transfer
Semester 1 – AY 2025-2026
Assignment 01 Due: 19-08-2025
Tutorial Problems
To be discussed in the tutorial class. Note that due to time constraints, not all problems
may be covered.
1. Assume steady-state, one-dimensional heat conduction through the symmetric shape as
shown in the figure below.
Assuming that there is no internal heat generation, derive an expression for the thermal
conductivity 𝑘(𝑥) for these conditions: 𝐴(𝑥) = (1 − 𝑥), 𝑇(𝑥) = 300(1 − 2𝑥 − 3𝑥 3 ),
and 𝑞 = 6000 W, where A is in square meters, T in kelvins, and x in meters.
2. Consider steady-state conditions for one-dimensional conduction in a plane wall having
a thermal conductivity k = 50W/mK and a thickness L= 0.25 m, with no internal heat
generation.
Determine the heat flux and the unknown quantity for each case and sketch the
temperature distribution, indicating the direction of the heat flux.
3. Consider a plane wall 100 mm thick and of thermal conductivity 100W/m-K. Steady-
state conditions are known to exist with T1 = 400 K and T2 = 600 K. Determine the
heat flux 𝑞𝑥" and the temperature gradient dT/dx for the coordinate systems shown
𝜕𝑇
4. In the two-dimensional body illustrated, the gradient at surface A is found to be 𝜕𝑦 = 30
𝜕𝑇 𝜕𝑇
K/m. What are 𝜕𝑦 and 𝜕𝑥 at surface B?
Homework Assignment Problems
To be submitted on the mentioned due date at the top. Physical submission of
Assignments is mandatory. No soft copy through email or otherwise will be accepted!
1. Assume steady-state, one-dimensional conduction in the axisymmetric object below,
which is insulated around its perimeter.
If the properties remain constant and no internal heat generation occurs, sketch the heat
flux distribution 𝑞𝑥" , and the temperature distribution, T(x). Explain the shapes of your
curves. How do your curves depend on the thermal conductivity of the material?
2. A composite rod consists of two different materials, A and B, each of length 0.5L. The
thermal conductivity of Material A is half that of Material B, that is, kA/kB = 0.5. Sketch
the steady-state temperature and heat flux distributions, T(x) and 𝑞𝑥′′ respectively. Assume
constant properties and no internal heat generation in either material.
3. A solid, truncated cone serves as a support for a system that maintains the top (truncated)
face of the cone at a temperature T1, while the base of the cone is at a temperature T2<T1.
The thermal conductivity of the solid depends on temperature according to the relation k
= k0 - aT, where a is a positive constant, and the sides of the cone are well insulated. Do
the following quantities increase, decrease, or remain the same with increasing x: the heat
transfer rate 𝑞𝑥 , the heat flux 𝑞𝑥′′ , the thermal conductivity k, and the temperature gradient
dT/dx?
4. A one-dimensional plane wall of thickness 2L=100 mm experiences uniform thermal
energy generation of q = 1000W/m3 and is convectively cooled at x =+50 mm by an
ambient fluid characterized by 𝑇∞ =20°C. If the steady-state temperature distribution
within the wall is T(x)= a(L2 - x2) + b where a =10°C/m2 and b= 30°C, what is the thermal
conductivity of the wall? What is the value of the convection heat transfer coefficient, h?
5. Consider the geometry shown below for the case where the thermal conductivity varies
with temperature as k = k0 + aT, where k0 =10W/mK, a = -10-3 W/m.K2, and T is in kelvins.
𝜕𝑇 𝜕𝑇
The gradient at surface B is 𝜕𝑥 = 30 K/m. What is 𝜕𝑦 at surface A?
6. Steady-state, one-dimensional conduction occurs in a rod of constant thermal conductivity
k and variable cross sectional area Ax(x)= Aoeax, where Ao and a are constants. The lateral
surface of the rod is well insulated.
Write an expression for the conduction heat rate, 𝑞𝑥 (x). Use this expression to determine
the temperature distribution T(x) and qualitatively sketch the distribution for T(0) > T(L).
