Step 1: Steady-state heat conduction in a plane wall.
For steady-state heat conduction through a plane wall with constant thermal conductivity, the temperature profile is linear. This is derived from Fourier's law of heat conduction:\[q = -k \frac{dT}{dx}\]Where:- \( q \) represents the heat flux, which is constant under steady-state conditions.- \( k \) denotes the thermal conductivity, assumed to be constant.- \( \frac{dT}{dx} \) is the temperature gradient.When properties are constant and boundary conditions are applied, the solution to this equation yields a linear temperature distribution across the plane wall.
Final Answer: \[\boxed{\text{linear}}\]