Convective heat-transfer coefficient
The coefficient h represents a specified surface–fluid transfer situation.
Key knowledge
A convective surface model relates outward heat flux to the surface-to-fluid temperature difference: q_out=h(T_s−T_∞). For uniform h and temperatures over area A, the outward heat-transfer rate is Q̇_out=hA(T_s−T_∞). The coefficient depends on the fluid, geometry and flow conditions; it is not just a fixed material property.
Values and equations
q_out=h(T_s−T_∞); Q̇_out=hA(T_s−T_∞)
- q_out
- Outward convective heat flux W m⁻²
- Q̇_out
- Outward convective heat-transfer rate W
- h
- Convective heat-transfer coefficient for the stated situation W m⁻² K⁻¹
- T_s,T_∞
- Surface and reference fluid temperatures K
- A
- Heat-transfer surface area m²
Conditions and scope
- Use a specified fluid reference temperature and h appropriate to the geometry, flow and operating range.
- The area formula assumes uniform or area-averaged quantities that give the same total; otherwise integrate the local flux.
- Positive Q̇_out means energy leaves the surface; if the fluid is hotter, the result is negative.
Sources · 2
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Local convective heat flux and its uniform-area heat-rate relation with a condition-dependent transfer coefficient.
2026-10-10 · Independent Chemistry, Biology and Earth/Cosmos editor (AI editorial review). Source checks and independent AI editorial review of compact reference claims, equations, units, conditions and conceptual mappings. This is not human specialist certification, laboratory accreditation, whole-book verification, or a claim that all possible foundational knowledge is present.
Foundational review
2026-10-10 · Independent AI editorial inspection of this new compact reference entry, its equations, applicability, sources and knowledge connections.
Sources from other places
Agreement within this scope
A convection coefficient relates outward surface flux to surface–fluid temperature difference, with total rate proportional to area under uniform conditions.
The source writes its total rate as q; h depends on flow and geometry rather than only the material.
Indian Institute of Science · NPTEL
- Heat and Mass Transfer · Module1 IndiaEnglish
1.3 Convection, PDF pp2–3
- Heat and Mass Transfer · Module1
Entry details
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- foundation-physics-convective-heat-transfer
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- foundations-audit.1
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