Consider an extended surface of rectangular cross section with heat flow in the longitudinal direction.
In this problem we seek to determine conditions for which the transverse ( $y$-direction) temperature difference within the extended surface is negligible compared to the temperature difference between the surface and the environment, such that the one-dimensional analysis of Section 3.6.1 is valid.
(a) Assume that the transverse temperature distribution is parabolic and of the form
$$
\frac{T(y)-T_{o}(x)}{T_{s}(x)-T_{o}(x)}=\left(\frac{y}{t}\right)^{2}
$$
where $T_{s}(x)$ is the surface temperature and $T_{o}(x)$ is the centerline temperature at any $x$-location. Using Fourier's law, write an expression for the conduction heat flux at the surface, $q_{y}^{\prime \prime}(t)$, in terms of $T_{s}$ and $T_{a^{+}}$
(b) Write an expression for the convection heat flux at the surface for the $x$-location. Equating the two expressions for the heat flux by conduction and convection, identify the parameter that determines the ratio $\left(T_{o}-T_{s}\right) /\left(T_{s}-T_{\infty}\right)$.
(c) From the foregoing analysis, develop a criterion for establishing the validity of the onedimensional assumption used to model an extended surface.