Thermal Conductivity
Physics: IB Diploma Higher Level, topic 2.1.6
Thermal Conductivity
Materials have a property called thermal conductivity which dictates how easily heat is transferred through it.
Conductivity
- Some materials conduct thermal energy faster than others.
- In general, good conductors of electricity like copper, aluminum, gold, and silver are also good heat conductors.
- Insulators of electricity like wood, plastic, and rubber are poor heat conductors.
Rate of heat transfer
- The rate of conductive heat transfer through a slab of material is given by the equation:
- Where k is the thermal conductivity of the material, ΔT is the change in temperature, A is the surface area and ΔL is the thickness of the slab
Test yourself on Thermal Conductivity
Which of the following materials is the best conductor of heat?