Question

P5: 10% Is it possible to reach steady condition in a solid sphere that has heat generation inside and its surface is insulated? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer: It is not possible.

Explanation: For steady state, the internal heat generation rate must be equal to the rate of heat transfer at the boundary. As the boundary is insulated, so rate of heat transfer at the boundary will be zero and hence the temperature inside the sphere at every points cannot be same as a function of time. So steady state condition cannot be achieved with internal heat generation where boundary is insulated (heat transfer is restricted).