Two slabs A and B of different materials but of the same thickness are joined as shown in the figure. The thermal conductivities of A and B are k1 and k2 respectively. The thermal conductivity of the composite slab will be
2k1k2(k1+k2)
The thermal resistance of a slab of length l, area A and thermal conductivity k is given by R=lkA
For slab A: R1=l2k1A
For slab B: R2=l2k2A
Since the slabs are joined in series, the thermal resistance of the composite slab is Rc=R1+R2⇒lkcA=l2k1A+l2k2A⇒1kc=12(1k1+1k2)⇒kc=2k1k2(k1+k2)
Hence, the correct choice is (d).