A Mathematical Equation

So far we have learned of four variables that affect the rate of heat transfer between two
locations. The variables are the temperature difference between the two locations, the material
present between the two locations, the area through which the heat will be transferred, and the
distance it must be transferred. As is often the case in physics, the mathematical relationship
between these variables and the rate of heat transfer can be expressed in the form of an
equation. Let's consider the transfer of heat through a glass window from the inside of a home
with a temperature of T1 to the outside of a home with a temperature of T2. The window has a
surface area A and a thickness d. The thermal conductivity value of the window glass is k. The
equation relating the heat transfer rate to these variables is

Rate = k•A•(T1 - T2)/d

The units on the rate of heat transfer are Joule/second, also known as a Watt. This equation is
applicable to any situation in which heat is transferred in the same direction across a flat
rectangular wall. It applies to conduction through windows, flat walls, slopes roofs (without any
curvature), etc. A slightly different equation applies to conduction through curved walls such as
the walls of cans, cups, glasses and pipes. We will not discuss that equation here.

Example Problem

To illustrate the use of the above equation, let's calculate the rate of heat transfer on a cold day
through a rectangular window that is 1.2 m wide and 1.8 m high, has a thickness of 6.2 mm, a
thermal conductivity value of 0.27 W/m/°C. The temperature inside the home is 21°C and the
temperature outside the home is -4°C.

To solve this problem, we will need to know the surface area of the window. Being a rectangle,
we can calculate the area as width • height.
Area = (1.2 m)•(1.8 m) = 2.16 m2.

We will also need to give attention to the unit on thickness (d). It is given in units of cm; we will
need to convert to units of meters in order for the units to be consistent with that of k and A.

d = 6.2 mm = 0.0062 m

Now we are ready to calculate the rate of heat transfer by substitution of known values into the
above equation.

Rate = (0.27 W/m/°C)•(2.16 m2)•(21°C - -4°C)/(0.0062 m)

Rate = 2400 W (rounded from 2352 W)