PROBLEM 6.

KNOWN: Temperature distribution in boundary layer for air flow over a flat plate.
FIND: Variation of local convection coefficient along the plate and value of average coefficient.
SCHEMATIC:

ANALYSIS: From Eq. 6.5,

k ∂ T ∂ y y =0 k ( 70 × 600x )
h=− =+
( Ts − T∞ ) ( Ts − T∞ )
where Ts = T(x,0) = 90°C. Evaluating k at the arithmetic mean of the freestream and surface
temperatures, T = (20 + 90)°C/2 = 55°C = 328 K, Table A.4 yields k = 0.0284 W/m⋅K. Hence, with
Ts - T∞ = 70°C = 70 K,

0.0284 W m ⋅ K ( 42, 000x ) K m

h=
70 K (
= 17x W m 2 ⋅ K ) <
and the convection coefficient increases linearly with x.

The average coefficient over the range 0 ≤ x ≤ 5 m is

5
1 L 17 5 17 x 2
h = ∫ hdx = ∫ xdx = = 42.5 W m2 ⋅ K <
L 0 5 0 5 2
0

Excerpts from this work may be reproduced by instructors for distribution on a not-for-profit basis for testing or instructional purposes only to students enrolled in
courses for which the textbook has been adopted. Any other reproduction or translation of this work beyond that permitted by Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976
United States Copyright Act without the permission of the copyright owner is unlawful.