Define thermal diffusivity.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the definition of thermal diffusivity, which is a physical property that measures how quickly heat moves through a material. It is often used in the context of materials science and engineering to understand heat transfer.
Answer
Thermal diffusivity is the rate at which heat spreads through a material.
Thermal diffusivity is defined as the rate at which heat spreads through a material. It is calculated as the thermal conductivity divided by the product of density and specific heat capacity.
Answer for screen readers
Thermal diffusivity is defined as the rate at which heat spreads through a material. It is calculated as the thermal conductivity divided by the product of density and specific heat capacity.
More Information
Thermal diffusivity is a material-specific property that indicates how quickly heat moves through a material. It combines thermal conductivity, density, and specific heat capacity.
Tips
Make sure not to confuse thermal diffusivity with thermal conductivity; the former measures heat transfer rate, while the latter measures the material's ability to conduct heat.
Sources
- Thermal diffusivity - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- Definition, Formula, SI Unit and Thermal Diffusivity of Various Materials - byjus.com
- Thermal Diffusivity - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics - sciencedirect.com