About Heat Transfer Calculator (Conduction, Convection, Radiation)
Calculate thermal energy transfer rates (Q in Watts and kW), heat flux (W/m²), and thermal resistance (R_th in K/W) across all three primary thermodynamic modes: Fourier Conduction, Newton Convective Cooling, and Stefan-Boltzmann Thermal Radiation.
Key Capabilities & Features
- 1D Solid Conduction: Fourier's law Q = (k · A · ΔT) / L with thermal conductivity k
- Fluid Convection: Newton's law of cooling Q = h · A · ΔT with convection coefficient h
- Thermal Radiation: Stefan-Boltzmann law Q = ε · σ · A · (T1⁴ - T2⁴) with surface emissivity ε
- Computes total heat transfer rate (Watts and kW) and heat flux density (W/m²)
- Calculates equivalent thermal resistance barrier metric R_th (Kelvins per Watt)
How to Use Heat Transfer Calculator (Conduction, Convection, Radiation)
Select Heat Transfer Mode
Choose Conduction (solid walls), Convection (fluids), or Radiation (surfaces).
Enter Temperatures & Area
Input hot and cold temperatures in °C and effective heat transfer surface area in m².
Inspect Heat Rate & Flux
Review dissipated thermal wattage (W), heat flux (W/m²), and thermal resistance.
Privacy & In-Browser Execution Guarantee
Client-side thermodynamic physics engine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is thermal conductivity (k)?
Thermal conductivity k (measured in W/m·K) measures a material's inherent ability to conduct heat. High values indicate thermal conductors (copper ~400), while low values indicate insulation (aerogel/fiberglass ~0.03-0.04).
Why does thermal radiation depend on temperature to the 4th power?
Stefan-Boltzmann law governs radiant electromagnetic emission from matter: E = ε · σ · T⁴. Because energy scales with absolute temperature (Kelvin) to the fourth power, radiation dominates at high temperatures.