Two metal cubes with 3 cm edges of copper and aluminium are arranged as shown in figure. Find
(i) the total thermal current from one reservoir to the other.
(ii) the ratio of the thermal current carried by the copper cube to that carried by the aluminium cube . thermal conductivity of copper is `401 Wm^(-1) K` and that of aluminium is `237 Wm(-1) K`.

Answer

(i) `240W` (ii) `1.5`

Explanation

(i) Thermal current =`("Temperature difference")/(R_(H))`
where `(1)/(R_(H)) = (K_(1)A)/(t) + (K_(2)A)/(t) = ((K_(1) + K_(2)) a^(2))/(a) = (60+40) ( 3 xx 10^(-2)) = 3WK^(-1)`
`implies "Thermal current" = 80 xx 3 = 240W`
(ii) Ratio of thermal currents `(H_(Cu))/(H_(Al)) = (K_(Cu))/(K_(Al)) = (60)/(40) = 1.5`