Is the Fourier theory of heat propagation paradoxical! (Q1197529)

As the author says ``this paper is concerned with an attempt of defence of the classical theory of Fourier of heat propagation which has been accused to produce the paradox accordingly to which heat propagates with an infinite speed. The aim is to prove that this accusation, when the Fourier theory is properly interpreted, is unfounded''. Concretely, the author considers as alternative propositions to the Fourier constructive laws, the Cattaneo model, which leads to the so- called telegraph equation which describes a wave propagation phenomenon where the propagation speed is finite, respectively, the theory proposed by M. E. Gurtin and A. C. Pipkin in which the past thermal history of the material is taken into consideration and which leads to an integro- differential equation. The author also gives a proposition for a correct interpretation of Fourier's theory as follows: --- an upper bound \(\varepsilon\) for negligibles has been determined and fixed, --- \(q+\chi u_ x\) is negligible, i.e. \(| q+\chi u_ x|<\varepsilon\), where \(q\) is the thermal flux and \(\chi\) the coefficient of thermal conductivity, --- the equation \(u_ t-(\chi/\gamma\rho)u_{xx}=0\) holds also in the sense of a negligible quantity, i.e., \(| u_ t- (\chi/\gamma\rho)u_{xx}|<\varepsilon\) \((\gamma\), the specific heat of the wire and \(\rho\) the density of the wire). The last part of the paper is concerned with a generalized Cauchy problem for the heat equation with the aim to prove that the classical Fourier solution is admissible for describing heat propagation.