ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on a class of problems which involve "local "sources of internal energy such that heat is released continuously or spontaneously in a region of a system of interest that is infinitesimally small compared to the dimensions of the system. The chapter utilizes Dirac delta function to a limited extent in the solution of a number of representative problems involving local heat sources. It discusses the solution of a representative problem involving a moving plane heat source in a stationary large solid. The chapter considers two representative cases involving line and point sources of heat in infinite regions, and demonstrates the use of Laplace transforms as another method of solution. The chapter also considers an example involving a moving heat source, as a model of such engineering applications as welding, grinding, metal cutting, flame or laser hardening.
