Question

A cylinder of radius R made of a material of thermal conductivity $K_1$, is surrounded by a cylindrical shell of inner radius R and outer radius 2R made of a material of thermal conductivity K$_2$. The two ends of the combined system are maintained at two different temperatures. There is no loss of heat across the cylindrical surface and the system is in steady state. The effective thermal conductivity of the system is

• A. $K_1+K_2$
• B. $K_1K_2 / (K_1 +K_2)$
• C. $(K_1+3K_2)/4$
• D. $(3 K_1+K_2)/4$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

$(K_1+3K_2)/4$

Answer 2

Let R$_1$ and R$_2$ be the thermal resistances o f inner and outer portions. Since, temperature difference at both ends is same, the resistances are in parallel. Hence,
$\, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \frac{1}{R}=\frac{1}{R_1}+\frac{1}{R_2}$
$\therefore \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \frac{K(4\pi R^2)}{l}=\frac{K_1(\pi R^2)}{l}\frac{K_2(3\pi R^2)}{l}$
$\therefore \, \, \, \, \, \, K=\frac{3K_2 + K_1}{4}$
$\therefore \, \, \, \, \, \,$ Correct option is (c)