FIGURE 16-3
-Two metal rods are to be used to conduct heat from a region at 100°C to a region at 0°C as shown in Figure 16-3. The rods can be placed in parallel, as shown on the left, or in series, as on the right. The heat conducted in the series arrangement is

Question

FIGURE 16-3 
-Two metal rods are to be used to conduct heat from a region at 100°C to a region at 0°C as shown in Figure 16-3. The rods can be placed in parallel, as shown on the left, or in series, as on the right. The heat conducted in the series arrangement is

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the rods are in series, the heat must travel through both rods in order to reach the colder region. This means that the thermal resistance of the two rods is added together, resulting in a slower rate of heat transfer and less heat conducted compared to the parallel arrangement where each rod can conduct heat independently. Therefore, the heat conducted in the series arrangement is less than the heat conducted with the rods in parallel.

FIGURE 16-3 -Two Metal Rods Are to Be Used to Conduct Heat