Laws of Macroscopic Heat Transferand Their Limits

Abstract

In this introductory text, we examine the three mechanisms of heat transfer. For each one, we review the main ideas used in the traditional macroscopic description of heat transfer. This is followed by a discussion of the length and time scales characterising these transfer mechanisms. We then study the hypotheses underlying these models in order to determine their field of validity. We outline transfer mechanisms beyond the validity of macroscopic laws. The latter will be discussed in more depth throughout the book.