Conduction

Question 1

What happens with Conduction in metals?

Answer 1

Metals have many electrons that are free to move through the metal. These free electrons gain more kinetic energy from collisions as the metal is heated.

Question 2

What is a good thermal conductor?

Answer 2

Metal

Question 3

What are thermal insulators?

Answer 3

Materials that do not conduct heat very well. Materials such as wood and plastics are insulators as they transfer energy slowly.

Question 4

How can you tell whether a material is a conductor?

Answer 4

A conductor feels cold when you touch it because energy is conducted away from your skin quickly. Insulators feel warmer because the energy is not conducted away from your skin.

Question 5

What is thermal conduction?

Answer 5

Heat energy is transferred through solid materials by conduction. When you heat one end of an object the particles start vibrating more colliding with neighbouring particles, energy is then transferred from one particle to another.