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Interactive STEM simulation

Heat Transfer Lab — Conduction, Convection & Radiation

Simulate all three modes of heat transfer online: conduction through composite walls, natural and forced convection, and thermal radiation with Meissner effect. Free interactive physics lab.

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HEAT TRANSFER LAB
SIMULATION CONTROLS
Thick:5.0cm
Temperature:100°C
Temperature:20°C
Cross-section:100 cm²
HEAT TRANSFER
6416.0
Watts (W)
Time: 0.0s
THERMAL RESISTANCE
0.0125
K/W (R-value)
ΔT = 80°C
LAYER R-VALUES
Copper:0.0125

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Heat Transfer Lab — Conduction, Convection & Radiation

This heat transfer lab lets you explore conduction, convection, and radiation in one free online simulation. Conduction mode shows a composite multi-layer wall with up to 5 materials — from copper to styrofoam — displaying a real-time temperature gradient and heat-flux arrows across layers. Convection mode animates fluid particles over a heated surface with boundary-layer visualization for forced and natural convection. Radiation mode shows a pulsing body emitting wave rings toward surroundings, with emissivity and area controls.

What you can do in this simulation

  • Switch between Conduction, Convection, and Radiation modes
  • Build composite walls from 12 materials including copper, brick, and air gap
  • Set hot-side and cold-side temperatures and cross-sectional area
  • Toggle forced/natural convection and adjust fluid velocity (0.1–30 m/s)
  • Control emissivity and surface area for radiation calculations

Concepts covered

thermal conduction · convection · thermal radiation · Fourier's law · Stefan-Boltzmann law · thermal resistance

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