Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2023/prelims/mathematics-v/5/c/solution

In a steady state the heat equation says , so the positive- heat flux is the same constant in both materials. Assume perfect thermal contact: temperature is continuous at , and conservation of energy requires continuous heat flux there. Integrating from the right endpoint gives
The two formulas agree at the interface. Their slopes differ, but . The total temperature drop is , the sum of the two layers' contributions in steady heat conduction through layers.

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