lämpödiffuusion

Lämpödiffuusio, also known as thermal diffusivity, is a material property that describes how quickly a material's temperature changes when subjected to a temperature gradient. It quantifies the rate at which heat diffuses through a substance. Mathematically, thermal diffusivity ($\alpha$) is defined as the ratio of thermal conductivity ($k$) to the product of density ($\rho$) and specific heat capacity ($c_p$): $\alpha = k / (\rho c_p)$.

Materials with high thermal diffusivity, such as metals, transfer heat rapidly. This means that if one part of a metal object is heated, the temperature change will quickly spread throughout the entire object. Conversely, materials with low thermal diffusivity, like insulators (e.g., wood or plastic), transfer heat slowly. If a portion of an insulating material is heated, the temperature change will propagate much more gradually.

Thermal diffusivity is an important parameter in various engineering applications, including the design of heat exchangers, thermal insulation systems, and electronic device cooling. It helps engineers predict how heat will flow and how quickly temperatures will stabilize in different materials under varying thermal conditions. Understanding thermal diffusivity is crucial for controlling heat transfer and ensuring the efficient and safe operation of many technological systems.