Thermal Physics Question Bank

UNIT III - THERMAL PHYSICS
PART A QUESTIONS
1. Define coefficient of linear expansion.

The coefficient of linear expansion of a solid is the increase in length of unit length of
the solid when its temperature is raise by 1K. It is denoted by the letter α.
2. Define superficial expansion.

The coefficient of superficial expansion of a solid is the increase in area produced in
unit area of the solid when the temperature is raised by 1 K. It is denoted by the letter
β.
3. Define is coefficient of cubical expansion.

Coefficient of cubical expansion of a solid is the increase in volume of unit volume of a
solid for 1 K rise of temperature. It is denoted by the letter λ.
4. Define coefficient of apparent expansion of the liquid.

It is the observed increase in volume of unit volume of the liquid per degree Kelvin
rise of temperature. It is denoted by λα.
5. Define coefficient of real expansion of liquid.

It is the real increase in volume of unit volume of a liquid per degree Kelvin rise of
temperature. It is denoted by λr.
6. What is Expansion joint?

An expansion joint or movement joint is an assembly designed to safely absorb the
heat induced expansion or contraction of pipeline, duct or vessel. It helps to hold parts
together.
7. What is bimetallic strip?

A bimetallic strip means a strip made of two metals pined together. It is like
compound bar. It operates on the principle that different metals have different
coefficients of expansion.
8. What is thermal insulation?

It will resist the flow of heat to and from a body. It is a material that reduces the rate
of heat flow.
9. Define refrigerator.
It is a machine which produced cold. It is used to remove heat from the refrigerated
space and reject it to atmosphere. Hence, it maintains the temperature below the
surrounding atmosphere.
10. What are heat exchanges?

They are devices used to transfer heat between two or more fluid streams at different
temperatures.
11. Define oven.

An oven is thermally insulated chamber used for heating, baking or drying of a
substance and most commonly used for cooking Kilns and furnaces are special-
purpose ovens, used in pottery and metalworking, respectively.
12. What is solar power?
The energy ﴾heat and light) obtained from the sun, is called solar energy. Sun is the
source of all energy. Sunlight contains infrared radiations in large proportion, and
these infrared rays heats all objects on which they fall.
13. What are the basic entities responsible for thermal conduction of a solid?
● Area of cross section (A)
● Temperature difference between the hot and cold layers of the solid (θ 1-θ2)
● Time of Conduction (t)
● Thickness of the solid (x)
14. Define Coefficient of thermal conductivity?

The Coefficient of thermal conductivity is defined as the amount of heat conducted per
second normally across the unit area of cross section, maintained at unit temperature
gradient.
15. Distinguish between conduction and convection?
Conduction: It is the process in which the heat is transferred from hot end to cold
end without the actual movement of the particles.
Convection: It is the process in which the heat is transmitted from hot end to cold
end without the actual movement of the particles.
16. Define Radiation and give example.
It is the process in which the heat is transmitted from one place to another without
the necessity of the intervening medium.
Example: The rays from the Sun reflect the Earth.
17. What is meant by Temperature gradient?

The rate of fall of temperature with respect to the distance is called as temperature
gradient. In general, it is denoted as . The negative sign indicates the fall of
the temperature with increases in distance.
18. Define thermal diffusivity.

It is defined as the ratio of thermal conductivity to the thermal capacity per unit
volume of the material
Since thermal capacity is the product of specific heat capacity(s) and density of the
material (ρ), we can write
19. Derive the unit for Thermal Conductivity?
The Thermal Conductivity of the material is
The unit of thermal Conductivity is
20. Give the methods of determining the thermal conductivity of good and bad
conductors.
The methods of determining the thermal conductivity of good and bad conductors are:
● Searle’s Method–Good conductors like metallic rod

● Forbes’s method–for determining absolute conductivity of metals
● Lee’s disc method–for bad conductors
● Radial flow method-for bad conductors
21. Why the specimen used to determine thermal conductivity of a bad conductor
should have larger area and smaller thickness?
For bad conductor with a smaller thickness and larger area of cross section, the
amount of heat conducted will be more.
22. What is meant by thermal resistance?

The thermal resistance of a body is measure of its opposition to the flow of heat
through it. (i.e.) everybody possesses some resistive power when it is subjected to
heat. This resistive power is termed as thermal resistance.
23. What is the basic principle employed in lee’s disc Method for bad conductor?
The given bad conductor is taken in the form of disc and is placed in between the disc
and the chamber. The steam is passed through bad conductor. The steam is passed
through bad conductor. Heat conducted through the bad conductor per second is
calculated. Amount of heat lost per second by the disc is also calculated. When steady
state is reached,
The amount of heat conducted through bad conductor per sec=Amount of heat lost
per sec by the disc.
24. What is meant by thermal shock resistance?
Thermal shock resistance refers to the material's ability to withstand extreme

and rapid changes in temperature. These temperature fluctuations cause thermal
stresses in the ceramic, and consequently the propagation of micro-cracks that
permanently damage the material. Most isotropic ceramics have excellent resistance
to extreme temperatures with low expansion coefficients.
Applications: aeronautical and spatial, energy, electronics, transport, chemical,

engineering.
PART B QUESTIONS
1. Explain some practical uses of thermal expansion of substances?
2. Describe the Forbes method to determine the thermal conductivity of good conductors?
3. Derive the equation for heat conduction along a bar and solve it for steady state
condition.
4. Derive an equation for one-dimensional flow of heat and solve it under steady state
condition.
5. Derive an expression for the quantity of heat flow through a metal slab whose faces are
kept at two different temperatures. Use this expression to determine the thermal
conductivity of a bad conductor by Lee’s disc method.
6. Describe Lee’s disc method to find the co-efficient of thermal conductivity of a bad
conductor.
7. Derive an expression for the flow of heat through a compound media

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UNIT III - THERMAL PHYSICS

1. Define coefficient of linear expansion.

2. Define superficial expansion.

3. Define is coefficient of cubical expansion.

4. Define coefficient of apparent expansion of the liquid.

5. Define coefficient of real expansion of liquid.

6. What is Expansion joint?

7. What is bimetallic strip?

8. What is thermal insulation?

10. What are heat exchanges?

11. Define oven.

● Time of Conduction (t)

● Thickness of the solid (x)

14. Define Coefficient of thermal conductivity?

17. What is meant by Temperature gradient?

18. Define thermal diffusivity.

material (ρ), we can write

19. Derive the unit for Thermal Conductivity?

The Thermal Conductivity of the material is

The unit of thermal Conductivity is

● Searle’s Method–Good conductors like metallic rod

● Lee’s disc method–for bad conductors

● Radial flow method-for bad conductors

22. What is meant by thermal resistance?

24. What is meant by thermal shock resistance?

Thermal shock resistance refers to the material's ability to withstand extreme

Applications: aeronautical and spatial, energy, electronics, transport, chemical,

1. Explain some practical uses of thermal expansion of substances?

7. Derive an expression for the flow of heat through a compound media

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