We use a laser beam and a stopwatch to investigate transient heat conduction in Plexiglas and glycerol samples chilled by ice water. The deflection of the laser beam is proportional to the thermal gradient in the sample. Measurements of the beam deflection allow us to calculate the thermal gradient as a function of time. Our empirical results fit the theoretical predictions very well and show an initial increase in the thermal gradient followed by a gradual decrease as the entire sample approaches the temperature of ice water. The procedure is simple and can be used as a lecture demonstration, an afternoon’s experiment, or an extended investigation in an advanced laboratory course.

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