A composite rod made of three rods of equal length and cross-section as shown in the fig. The thermal conductivities of the materials of the rods are K/2, 5K and K respectively. The end A and end B are at constant temperatures. All heat entering the end A goes out of the end B, there being no loss of heat from the sides of the bar. The effective thermal conductivity of the bar is

Question

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

In steady conduction, heat current is H=kAΔT/L. Treat each segment as a thermal resistance Rₜₕ=L/(kA); series resistances add and parallel heat currents add. Evaluating the given data/statements gives A: 15K/16. Therefore the correct answer is A.