HEAT CONDUCTION

"Heat flows from hot to cold objects at a rate proportional to the temperature difference."

- Fourier's Law of Heat Conduction

Model Assumptions

Only Conduction: Models direct heat conduction between two bodies in perfect thermal contact (no environmental loss).

Variable Contact Area: Set to the smaller of the two bodies' face areas (cubic shapes), in m².

Contact Thickness: Heat transfer occurs across 1 cm (L = 0.01 m).

Uniform Temperature: Each body has the same temperature throughout.

Material Demonstration Presets

Body A

Initial Temperature
80 °C
Volume
5 cm³
Material ?

Body B

Initial Temperature
20 °C
Volume
5 cm³
Material ?
TIME: 0.0 s

Current State

Temp A80.0 °C
Temp B20.0 °C
Difference60.0 °C

Heat Transfer

Heat Flow Rate415.0 W
Effective k237.0 W/m·K
A B
Time (s) Temp (°C) Body A Body B
Time (s) Heat Flow Rate (W) Heat Flow Rate
Fourier's Law of Heat Conduction
q = keff · A · ΔTL
q
Heat Flow Rate
415.0 W
keff
Effective Conductivity
237 W/m·K
A
Contact Area
0.0003 m²
ΔT
Temp Difference
60.0 K
L
Thickness
0.01 m
Effective Thermal Conductivity (two materials in contact)
keff = 2 kA kBkA + kB
kA
Conductivity A
237 W/m·K
kB
Conductivity B
237 W/m·K

Why Does Material Choice Matter?

The material you choose can change heat flow rate by thousands of times — just like you’re seeing in this simulation!

Excellent conductors: Aluminum and Copper move heat very quickly.

Poor conductors: Wood and Glass slow heat down dramatically.

Changing from wood to copper can increase heat flow by up to 4,000×!

🔧 Simulation Self-Test Results

All 25 material combinations + time-to-equilibrium validation • Hidden teacher tool (Ctrl+Alt+T)