Chapter 2.1 energy transfer by heating - energy transfer by conduction

Question 1

What does the energy transfer per second through a layer of of insulating material depend on?

Answer 1

• the temperature difference across the material.
• the thickness of the material.
• the thermal conductivity of the material.

Question 2

What material are the best insulators? Name three.

Answer 2

Non-metal materials such as wool and fibreglass are the best insulators.

Question 3

What gets higher when the thermal conductivity of a material gets higher?

Answer 3

The higher the rate of energy transfer through it.

Question 4

How can we reduce the energy transfer as much as possible in any given situation?

Answer 4

1) The thermal conductivity of the insulating material should be as low as possible
2) The thickness of the insulating layer should be as thick as practically possible.

Question 5

What happens if there is a high thermal conductivity of a material?

Answer 5

The higher the thermal conductivity of a material, the higher the rate of energy transfer through it.

Question 6

What happens of there is a thicker layer of insulating material?

Answer 6

The thicker a layer of insulating material, the lower the rate of energy transfer through it.

Question 7

Which is a better conductor copper or steel?

Answer 7

Copper