Our simple method makes it possible to analyse non-steady problems that would otherwise
be intractable in introductory courses in physics. For instance, the heating or cooling of
homogeneous objects can be measured and the results compared to our approximate solution
(equation (17)) (such an experiment is described in [6]). Also, the scale rules contained in
the Fourier modulus can be easily assessed without the need to know the material parameters.
The thermal diffusivity can be obtained, etc. These experiments would extend the teaching
possibilities for diffusion and heat conduction, which are usually restricted to time-independent
problems.
Of course, the reader is also invited to pay greater attention to the time usually needed to
boil an egg.
Acknowledgment
The authors are indebted to C Carretero for the information she provided concerning the
structure and thermal behaviour of an egg.