Question

Is it possible to reach steady condition in a solid sphere that has heat generation inside and its surface is insulated? Explain.

Answer 1

• No ,it's impossible to maintain steady state condition for sphere with insulating surface .
• Purpose of insulation is the control the or prevent heat transfer from the sphere to the outside surface.
• Here , due to internal energy increase of sphere material( since the internal heat generation or volumetric heat generation) Temperature of the sphere material increases with respect to time .
• With insulation this increased heat will not go out from the sphere and therefore internal energy increase with time ,i,e. We can't attain steady state condition
• Without insulation steady state of sphere can be obtained.
• Steady state means , temperature will be constant throughout the time of entire heat transfer .
• Without internal heat generation it's also possible to maintain steady state,main reason to increase internal energy of sphere is the volumetric heat generation.
• Here. Volumetric heat generation present ,so internal energy increase,temperature increase, at last sphere will be burst like bomb.