Daniel Loeza Castro

Student Id Number 18004

The 1-D Heat Equation

In these notes we derived the one-dimensional heat equation for the temperature T(x, t) at
a point x, at time t, in an insulated rod.

As a reminder in a metal rod with non-uniform temperature, heat is transferred from regions of
higher temperature to regions of lower temperature. The physical principles that are used are the
following:

1. =

Where m is the body mass, T is the temperature, c is the specific heat.

2. Fouriers law of heat transfer = ( )

The rate of heat transfer proportional to negative temperature gradient, where k is the thermal
conductivity.

2
3. The differential heat equation. = 2

To get this equation we must consider that the density , specific heat c, thermal conductivity k,
cross-sectional area A of the rod are all constant. And assume that only the sides of the rod are
exposed. Also that there is no heat source within the rod. By conservation of energy we can
establish an equation with the Fouriers law and the heat energy of a segment.

Where is called the thermal diffusivity =

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Continuing with the solution of the heat equation

We will assume that the rod is L meters long, totally insulated except for the two ends at x = 0
and x = L.
 Daniel Loeza Castro
Student Id Number 18004

The density of the rod, its thermal conductivity k, and specific heat c are all assumed to be
constant along its length. Under these conditions the temperature T(x, t) in the rod will satisfy the
heat equation

2
= 2

In order to obtain a unique solution to such an equation, two types of conditions must be
specified:

1. Boundary Conditions:

The temperature T(x, t) must be specified at both ends of the rod, for all values of t > 0.

2. Initial Conditions:

The initial temperature, which is T(x, 0), must be specified as a function f(x) on the interval 0 x
L, where L is the length of the rod. The function f(x) needs to be at least piecewise continuous
on 0 x L.

So

In = 0 (, 0 ) = 0 (Before starting the experiment the temperature was 0C).

In = 0+ (, 0+ ) = 0 (Just starting the experiment the temperature was 0 ).

(, ) = 0 (Boundary Condition)

(, ) =?

The method of solution we will use is called the Method of Separation of Variables.

It is first assumed that there exist solutions of the form = 1 () 2 ()

We will derive T with respect of time.

2
= 1

Now we second derivate T with respect of the position

2 2 2
=
2 2

We substitute the values inside the differential heat equation

 Daniel Loeza Castro
Student Id Number 18004

2 2 2
1 = (2 )

1
We divide the equation by
1 2

1 2 1 2 1
=
2 1 2

The only way a function of x can be identically equal to a function of t is if both of the functions
are equal to the same constant.

On the left side we have that

1 2
=
2

Grouping similar terms

2
=
2

Integrating

2
=
2

When we integrated the equation we add a new constant

2 = + 1

If we integrate again, we have

2 = +1

We know that raise to a constant is another constant, lets called it 2

We put a negative sign in order to force the constant to be positive.

= 32

So far we have this new equation for 2

2
_2 = 2 3
 Daniel Loeza Castro
Student Id Number 18004

Now lets work on the right side of the equation

1 2 1 2 1
=
2 1 2

As we say previously, the only way a function of x can be identically equal to a function of t is if
both of the functions are equal to the same constant.

1 2 1
= = 32
1 2

Isolating 1 from the equation

2 1
= 32 1
2

On its general form

2 1
= 32 1 = 0
2

By trivial solution we can know 1

1 = 4 cos(3 ) + 5 sin(3 )

So far the temperature of the rod is

= 2 1

Replacing the values of 1and 2 on the previous equation

2
= 2 3 (4 cos(3 ) + 5 sin(3 ))

Simplifying

2
= 3 (6 cos(3 ) + 7 sin(3 ))

If 3 = 0

1 2 1 2 1
=0 =0
1 2 2

Integrating this equation will give us another constant

 Daniel Loeza Castro
Student Id Number 18004

= 8

With this value, we double integrate

2 1
= 0 1 = 8 + 9
2

Now we integrate

1 2 2
=0 = 0 2 =
2

So the temperature equation so far is

= 8 + 9

Now lets consider = , and we know that raise to infinite is 0.

In order to continue me must specify the following conditions

In = 0 =0

In = = 0

Now we substitute them on the temperature equation

0 = 0 + 9

0 = 8 + 9

Solving the system of equations

9 = 0

0
8 =

Replacing the values in = 8 + 9

0
=

So far the heat equation of the rod is

0 2
=
+ 3 (6 cos 3 + 7 sin 3 )
 Daniel Loeza Castro
Student Id Number 18004

We now apply the principle of superposition

0 3 2
= +
=1 (6 cos 3 + 7 sin 3 )

In order to continue simplifying the equation we must apply other boundary condition

In = 0, = 0, = 0

We substitute inside the equation in order to find 6

0 = 1 sin(0) = 0 cos(0) = 1

0
0= 0 +
=1 1 (6 + 0)

0= 0 +
=1 1 6

6 = 0

Replacing the value of 6 on the temperature equation

0 2
= + 3 (7 sin 3 )

=1

Now its time to apply the initial conditions

In = 0 = =0

In = 0+ = = 0

Now we substitute them on the temperature equation

0
0 =
+
=1(7 sin 3 )

Simplifying

0 =
=1(7 sin 3 )

3 needs to be equal to: , because in radians, any sin(n) will be 0.

So far the heat equation of the rod is

2 2
0
=
+
=1 7 2 (sin
)
 Daniel Loeza Castro
Student Id Number 18004

Helping us with wolfram alpha to integrate sin

0 sin
. sin
= =0 &==2

So the equation simplified:

0 2 2 2
0= 0 sin + 71 0 sin sin + 72 0 sin sin + . 7 0 sin( )

Calculating 7

0 2
- (
2
cos ) = 7 2

20

cos = 7

20 (1)
= 7

The solution for the 1-D Heat Equation

2 2
0 20 (1)
=
+

=1
L

(sin
)

Now we will take the equation into octave for a quick simulation.
 Daniel Loeza Castro
Student Id Number 18004

This is the Octave Code for the 1-D Heat Equation

Running the code will show us a graph with the heat distribution on the rod through time.

Bibliography

Lienhard IV, John H. Lienhard V, John H.. (2011). Heat Transfer Textbook (4th Edition) - 4. Analysis of
Heat Conduction and Some Steady One-Dimensional Problems. Dover Publications.