PROBLEM3.

44
KNOWN: Construction and dimensions of a device to measure the temperature of a surface.
Ambient and sensing temperatures, and thermal resistance between the sensing element and the
pivot point.
FIND: (a) Thermal resistance between the surface temperature and the sensing temperature, (b)
Surface temperature for T
sen
= 28.5C.
SCHEMATIC:
ASSUMPTIONS: (1) Steady-state conditions, (2) One-dimensional heat transfer, (3) Negligible
nanoscale effects, (4) Constant properties.
PROPERTIES: Table A.2, polycrystalline silicon dioxide (300 K): k = 1.38 W/mK. Table A.4,
air (300 K): k = 0.0263 W/mK.
ANALYSIS:
(a) At any x location, heat transfer in the x-direction occurs by conduction in the air as well as
conduction in the probe. Applying Fouriers law,
x a a p p
dT dT
q = - k A - k A
dx dx
(1)
Since the probe radius is r = Dx/2L, the probe area is
2 2 2 2
2
p a p
2 2
D D D x
A = x and A = - A = 1 -
4 4
4L L
(
(
(

(2a, 2b)
Substituting Eqs. (2a) and (2b) into Eq. (1) yields
2
2 2 2
x a p
2
D dT
q = - k (L - x ) + k x
dx
4L
(

Separating variables and integrating,
Continued
D = 100 nm
q
T
sen
= 28.5C
r(x)
x
L = 50 nm
Air
Silicon
dioxide
D = 100 nm
q
T
sen
= 28.5C
r(x)
x
L = 50 nm
Air
Silicon
dioxide
PROBLEM3.44 (Cont.)
( )
sen
surf
T L
2 2
x sen surf
2 2 2 2 2
a p
x=0 T=T
dx D D
q = - dT = - T - T
k (L - x ) + k x 4L 4L
} }
Therefore, the thermal resistance associated with the probe is
L
2
surf sen
sen
2 2 2
x
a p a
x=0
(T - T ) 4L dx
R = =
q
D k L + (k - k )x
}
Carrying out the integration yields
2
p a -1
sen
2
a a p a
k - k
4L 1
R = tan
k k (k - k ) D
Substituting values gives
-9
sen
-9 2
-1 6
4 50 10 m 1
R =
0.0263 W/m K (1.38 - 0.0263) W/m K (100 10 m)
(1.38 - 0.0263) W/m K
tan = 48.3 10 K/W
0.0263 W/m K

<
(b) The thermal circuit is
Hence,
surf sen sen
sen T
(T - T ) (T - T )
=
R R

6
sen
surf sen sen
6
T
R 48.3 10 K/W
T = (T - T ) + T = (28.5 - 25)C + 28.5C
R
5 10 K/W

surf
T = 62.3C <
COMMENT: Heat transfer within the probe region will not be one-dimensional and
modification of heat transfer due to nanoscale effects may be important. However, the probe may
be calibrated by measuring the surface temperature of a large isothermal object.
T
sen
= 28.5C
T

= 25C
R
T
= 510
6
K/W
R
sen
= 48.3 10
6
K/W
T
surf
T
sen
= 28.5C
T

= 25C
R
T
= 510
6
K/W
R
sen
= 48.3 10
6
K/W
T
surf