Question

Quantitatively heat conduction can be described as?

(a) Heat flow for a given temperature difference

(b) Time rate of heat flow for a given temperature difference

(c) Temperature difference caused due to heat flow per unit time

(d) Temperature difference per unit quantity of heat transferred

This question was posed to me in examination.

My question is taken from Thermal Properties of Matter in portion Thermal Properties of Matter of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

The correct option is (b) Time rate of heat flow for a given temperature difference

For explanation I would say: Heat transfer by conduction occurs due to an initial temperature difference. Heat flow per unit time for a given temperature difference can be a quantitative description of heat flow by conduction. Note that temperature difference causes heat flow and not the other way around.