Engaging students in partial differential equations through modeling Fourier's Law of Conduction

Authors

Justin G. Trulen, Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeFollow
Kayla Keller, Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeFollow
John Sinclair, Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeFollow
Lauren Meagher, Kentukcy Wesleyan CollegeFollow

Publication Date

5-23-2024

Keywords

Modeling, student activity, Heat Equation, Fourier's Law of Conduction.

Disciplines

Mathematics | Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Science and Mathematics Education

Abstract

In an effort to make active learning exercises in a partial differential equations course, we present a student activity modeling Fourier's law of conduction under the framework of the heat equation. An overview of the heat equation, including several avenues of study, is provided. Then we give an intuitive way of constructing the heat equation from a couple of fundamental properties of physics including Fourier's law of conduction. We outline an experiment that can be run to collect their own data to model Fourier's law of conduction as well as provide data we collected. We conclude with a student activity that can be used in class to guide students from the construction of the heat equation to analyzing the data to model Fourier's law of conduction.

Recommended Citation

Trulen, Justin G.; Keller, Kayla; Sinclair, John; and Meagher, Lauren (2024) "Engaging students in partial differential equations through modeling Fourier's Law of Conduction," CODEE Journal: Vol. 18, Article 3.
Available at: https://scholarship.claremont.edu/codee/vol18/iss1/3

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.