Description:
In this paper we carry out a theoretical and experimental study of thermal wave propagation in soil. We discuss the potential use of buried pipes as an alternative thermal conditioning of environments. In particular, we study the thermal properties of soil in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, in order to evaluate the possibility of using geothermal energy from the ground, at shallow depth, as thermal air conditioning system. The present experiment allows us to determine the diffusivity and thermal conductivity of the soil. It is low cost and easy to perform. This activity can be of use to connect aspects of basic physics with the solution of a technological problem of great environmental, political and economic implication.