Searle's Thermal Conductivity Apparatus is designed for determining the thermal conductivity of good conductors, particularly copper. The apparatus consists of a copper rod measuring approximately 300 mm in length and 25 mm in diameter. One end of the rod is heated through a steam jacket connected to a steam boiler, while the opposite end is cooled by a continuous flow of water through a spiral tube.
The copper rod is provided with suitable openings for inserting thermometers to measure temperature at different points. For effective thermal insulation, the complete assembly is mounted inside a wooden case lined with felt. The hinged front panel can be opened for convenient demonstration and observation during experiments. Supplied without steam boiler and thermometers.
Principle
Searle’s Thermal Conductivity Apparatus works on the principle of steady-state heat conduction and Fourier’s law. When one end of the copper rod is heated by steam and the other end is cooled by continuously flowing water, a constant temperature gradient is established along the rod. At steady state, the quantity of heat conducted per second through the copper rod is equal to the quantity of heat absorbed per second by the cooling water, assuming negligible heat loss to the surroundings.
The thermal conductivity is calculated using:
K = mc (O4 - O3)L / A(O1- O2)
Where:
K = coefficient of thermal conductivity of copper m = mass flow rate of cooling water c = specific heat capacity of water O1 - O2= temperature difference between two points on the copper rod O4 - O3 = rise in temperature of cooling water L = distance between the thermometer points A = cross-sectional area of the copper rod
Experimental Objectives
To determine the coefficient of thermal conductivity of copper using Searle's method.
To understand the relationship between heat transfer, temperature difference, length, and cross-sectional area of a conductor.
To study the steady-state flow of heat through a good conductor.
Have a catalog? Know what you would like to buy? Save time, enter item and quantities here, when you are finished click on the shopping cart button. You are ready to check out, it’s that quick.
