t, T, τ
Lower case t = time (to 1/2 Temp rise) = half life
Upper case T = temperature
Greek letter tau τ = time constant (t/ln(2)) = mean life
The mean life equals the
time constant.
These problems (heating/cooling, charging/discharging, radioactive decay) all follow the equation e^-t/τ. τ (tau) is the time constant, in our case: thermal resistance*volume*heat capacity. An electrical equivalent is τ=R*C, C, capacitance I am equating to volumetric heat capacity and resistance R to C/W. Can't find a decent link right now, later.