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Step-by-Step Solution
Step 1: Identify the Known Parameters
β’ Thermal conductivities:
Copper, $K_{Cu} = 0.92$ (CGS units),
Brass, $K_{Br} = 0.26$ (CGS units),
Steel, $K_{St} = 0.12$ (CGS units).
β’ Lengths of rods:
$l_{Cu} = 46\ \text{cm}$,
$l_{Br} = 13\ \text{cm}$,
$l_{St} = 12\ \text{cm}$.
β’ Area of cross-section for each rod: $A = 4\ \text{cm}^2$.
β’ Temperature of copper rodβs hot end: $100^\circ \text{C}$.
β’ Temperature of brass and steel rodsβ cold ends: $0^\circ \text{C}$.
β’ Junction temperature: let this be $T\ ^\circ\text{C}$.
Step 2: Express the Rate of Heat Flow
The rate of heat flow $Q$ through a rod due to thermal conduction is given by:
$$
Q = \frac{K A \bigl(\theta_1 - \theta_2 \bigr)}{l},
$$
where $K$ is the thermal conductivity, $A$ is the cross-sectional area, $l$ is the length of the rod, and $\theta_1 - \theta_2$ is the temperature difference across the rod.
Step 3: Set Up the Heat Balance Equation at the Junction
Since the system is in steady state, the heat flowing from the copper rod into the junction must equal the total heat flowing out through the brass and steel rods. Mathematically:
$$
Q_{\text{Copper}} = Q_{\text{Brass}} + Q_{\text{Steel}}.
$$
Substituting the rate of heat flow formula for each rod:
$$
\frac{0.92 \times 4 \times (100 - T)}{46}
= \frac{0.26 \times 4 \times (T - 0)}{13} + \frac{0.12 \times 4 \times (T - 0)}{12}.
$$
Step 4: Solve for the Junction Temperature $T$
Simplify each term step by step:
β’ Left side (Copper):
$$
\frac{0.92 \times 4 \times (100 - T)}{46}
= \frac{3.68 \times (100 - T)}{46}
= \frac{368 - 3.68T}{46}
= 8 - 0.08\,T.
$$
β’ Right side (Brass and Steel):
(a) Brass term:
$$
\frac{0.26 \times 4 \times T}{13}
= \frac{1.04\,T}{13}
= 0.08\,T.
$$
(b) Steel term:
$$
\frac{0.12 \times 4 \times T}{12}
= \frac{0.48\,T}{12}
= 0.04\,T.
$$
Adding the brass and steel contributions:
$$
0.08\,T + 0.04\,T = 0.12\,T.
$$
Now set up the equation:
$$
8 - 0.08\,T = 0.12\,T.
$$
Combine like terms:
$$
8 = 0.12\,T + 0.08\,T = 0.20\,T
\quad\Longrightarrow\quad
T = \frac{8}{0.20} = 40\ ^\circ\text{C}.
$$
Thus, the junction temperature is $40^\circ \text{C}$.
Step 5: Calculate the Rate of Heat Flow Through the Copper Rod
With $T = 40^\circ \text{C}$ at the junction, the temperature difference for the copper rod is $(100 - 40) = 60^\circ \text{C}$. Hence,
$$
Q_{\text{Copper}}
= \frac{0.92 \times 4 \times (100 - 40)}{46}
= \frac{0.92 \times 4 \times 60}{46}.
$$
Evaluate the expression:
$$
Q_{\text{Copper}}
= \frac{0.92 \times 240}{46}
= \frac{220.8}{46}
= 4.8\ \text{cal/s}.
$$
Final Answer
The rate of heat flow through the copper rod is $4.8\ \text{cal/s}$.