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Question #42162

Difficulty: 8/10 | 🟢 Free

The Question

A long cylindrical metal rod of initial radius r0r_0 and length L0L_0 is placed between two perfectly rigid, unyielding walls such that its length cannot change. Assume the rod is initially unstressed at 0 K0 \text{ K} and its material properties (emissivity ϵ\epsilon, coefficient of linear thermal expansion α\alpha, Young's modulus YY, and Poisson's ratio ν\nu) are temperature-independent. It is heated by a constant internal power source PP and radiates heat to the surrounding vacuum at 0 K0 \text{ K}. Neglecting heat loss from the flat ends and assuming αT≪1\alpha T \ll 1, what is the steady-state temperature TT of the rod to first order in α\alpha?

(Let T0=(Pϵσ2πr0L0)1/4T_0 = \left( \frac{P}{\epsilon \sigma 2\pi r_0 L_0} \right)^{1/4}, where σ\sigma is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant).

Options

  • A.

    T0[1−14α(1+ν)T0]T_0 \left[ 1 - \frac{1}{4}\alpha(1+\nu)T_0 \right]

  • B.

    T0[1−14αT0]T_0 \left[ 1 - \frac{1}{4}\alpha T_0 \right]

  • C.

    T0[1−14α(1−ν)T0]T_0 \left[ 1 - \frac{1}{4}\alpha(1-\nu)T_0 \right]

  • D.

    T0[1+14α(1+ν)T0]T_0 \left[ 1 + \frac{1}{4}\alpha(1+\nu)T_0 \right]

Check Your Answer

Correct Answer

Step-by-Step Solution

Explanation

How the Examiner Thinks

Variable_Constraint

Develop pure symbolic logic skills by mastering algebraic constraints without relying on numerical data.

Concepts Behind This Question

Stefan-Boltzmann Power Law|Thermal Stress in Constrained Rods|Binomial Approximation

Why This Question Is Tricky

Common Mistakes

This question tests the interplay between thermal stress, 3D strain (Poisson's effect), and radiation thermodynamics.

A common trap is assuming the surface area remains constant (A0A_0) or only expands via standard linear expansion (αT\alpha T) without accounting for the mechanical constraint.

Because the rod is prevented from expanding longitudinally, it develops a compressive stress that forces additional radial expansion via Poisson's ratio.

This increases the radiating surface area more than unconstrained thermal expansion would, leading to a lower equilibrium temperature.

Students who ignore the mechanical-thermal coupling or the dA/dTdA/dT dependence will fail to find the correct first-order correction.

Quick Facts About This Question

Question Information

SubjectPhysics
ChapterThermal Properties of Matter - Class 11 Part 2
ConceptStefan-Boltzmann Power Law
Difficulty8
Cognitive Load7
Target Solve Time160 sec
AccessFree