Circuit Models

Ideal Model Representations

Ideal voltage source

No matter how much current it provides, the voltage stays the same.

Ideal temperature difference

This is also called a thermal reservoir. No matter how much heat flow this "reservoir" provides, the temperature stays the same.

Ideal current source

No matter the voltage, the current stays the same.

Ideal heater

Creates the same amount of heat flow, no matter the temperature difference.

Correspondence between thermal and electrical

• Heat flow (power) -- Electrical Current

• Temperature difference -- Voltage difference

Ohms Law

$V = IR$

Thermal Heat Flow

$q = UA \Delta T$

Think of $q$ as current. Think of $\Delta T$ as voltage. Think of $1/UA$ as resistance.

$\Delta T = q \frac{1}{UA}$