DETERMINATION OF THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF A
BAD CONDUCTOR IN THE FORM OF DISC BY LEE’S
AND CHORLTON’S METHOD
I. Objective:
To determine the thermal conductivity of a bad conductor by Lee‟s and Chorlton‟s
method
II. Apparatus:
Lee‟s apparatus, steam chamber, two thermometer, Bunsen burner, circular disc of
bad conductor (rubber, wood) etc.
III. Theory:
Let 1 and 2 be the steady state temperatures recorded by the thermometers T1 and T2
respectively (see Fig.1) and K be the thermal conductivity of the bad conducting disc
S. If d is the thickness and A is the cross sectional area of the disc S, then the
quantity of heat conducted through the disc per second is given by
Q = KA (1-2)/d
If m is the mass, s is the specific heat and d/dt is the rate of cooling at 2 of the lower
metal slab B, then
Q = ms d/dt at 2
So, KA (1-2)/d = ms d/dt at 2
Or, …………………………………(1)
This is the working formula.
If m is measured in gm, d/dt in 0C per sec and s is given in cal/gm. 0C then Q is
obtained in cal per sec. Again, when d is measured in cm, A in cm2, 1 and 2 in 0C
then K is given in cal. sec-1.cm-1 .0C-1.
[Note: In the present method, the rate of cooling of the lower disc B is determined
without the experimental disc S on it. So to obtain the correct value of d/dt at 2
under the condition of experiment, the quantity d/dt should be multiplied by a factor
f given by f = (r+2d1) / (2r+2d1). Where r and d1 are the radius and thickness of the
metal disc B respectively. This correction is called the Bedford correction. Thus -
…………………………(2)
IV. Schematic Diagram:
Steam In
Steam C
Out T1
S
B T2
Fig.1: Bad Conductor Experimental Set-up
V. Procedure:
1. Connect the chamber to a distant boiler. Record the temperatures of C and B at
intervals of 5 minutes until the thermometers show steady state temperature for a
period of at least 10 to 15 minutes, and note the steady state temperatures 1 and 2.
2. Remove the steam chamber and experimental disc. Heat the metal slab B slowly by
means of a heat source and simultaneously observe the temperature. Raise the
temperature to a value which is about 120 C higher than the steady value 2 noted in
step 1. Do not raise the temperature beyond the upper limit of the thermometer T2.
3. Remove the heating source. Temperature of B will start decreasing. When the
temperature reaches a value roughly 100 C above its steady temperature 2, record the
temperature with time by means of a stop watch at intervals of quarter a minute until
temperature falls below 2 by about 100 C.
4. Draw a graph by plotting the temperature of cooling (in 0C) of B along Y -axis and
the corresponding time (sec.) along X -axis. The graph will be a non-linear curve line.
Draw a tangent to the curve around 2 and then find d/dt around 2.
VI. Experimental Observations:
Mass (m) of the lower disc B = …………. gm
Specific heat (s) of B = …………….cal/gm. 0C
Radius (r) and the cross sectional area (A) of the disc S: r = …………..cm, A =
…………….cm2
Thickness (length) (d) of S = ………………..cm
Table 1
Temperature of C and B with time and the values of steady state temperatures 1
and 2
Time in 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
minutes
Temp.
of C (0C)
Temp.
of B (0C)
Table 2
Record of temperature of B with time during cooling
Time 0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150 165 180 195
in
Sec.
Temp.
of C
(0C)
Graph Plotting:
Draw a graph with t along X-axis and along Y-axis. Find d/dt at 2 from the graph.
Fig.2: Temperature vs. time curve to determine d/dt.
Table 3
Determination of K from graph
m s (cal.gm-1 d (cm) d/dt at 2 A (cm2) 1 -2 K (cal.sec.cm-1
(gm) .cm-1 (0C.sec) (0C)
.0C-1)
VII. Computation of percentage error:
We have, K = ms d/dt (at 2).d/A(1 -2)
If the lower disc B cools by radiation from ′ 0C to ″ 0C through in time t, we can write
d/dt (at 2) = (′ - ″)/t. Also A = πr2. Hence
K = [{msd (’ - ’’)/t}/{ πr2(1 -2)}]
The maximum proportional error in K is, therefore,
δK/K = δm/m + δd/d + δ(’ - ’’)/ (’ - ’’) + δt/t + 2δr/r + δ(1 -2)/ (1 -2) + δs/s
Since m, r, d and s are supplied, thus δm = δd = δs = δr = 0
Thus, the maximum percentage error is given by
(δK/K) × 100 % = [δ(′ - ″)/ (′ - ″) + δt/t + δ(1 -2)/ (1 -2)] × 100%
