Question

Consider the boilers made up of different layers of conducting materials. How the heat conduction takes place in such an arrangement when they are connected in series and parallel?

Answer 1

Calculate temperature difference on the opposite sides of conducting materials connected with thermal resistance r and R in series and parallel assuming that the power Q is equal for both cases:

$$\Delta T_s=Q(r+R),\\\space\\ \Delta T_p=Q\bigg(\frac{rR}{r+R}\bigg).$$

As we see, the temperature difference will be greater for series connection and smaller for parallel connection, which determines application of these such arrangements.