Heat conduction and thermal insulation – basic principles
How it works
Heat conduction is the transfer of thermal energy within a substance or between substances in contact, without the substance flowing as a whole. It occurs in solids, liquids and gases, but it is especially easy to observe in solids. Different materials conduct heat differently well: metals are usually good conductors of heat, while wood, plastic or trapped air conduct heat poorly. Thermal insulation uses materials with low thermal conductivity to reduce heat flow, e. g. in buildings or clothing. Heat always flows from the warmer to the colder region until temperature equalization is achieved.
Heat conduction always transfers heat from higher to lower temperature. Good conductors of heat such as metals pass heat on quickly, poor conductors of heat such as wood, plastic or trapped air slowly; therefore poor conductors of heat are suitable for insulation.
An example
Why does a metal spoon in hot tea feel hot more quickly than a plastic spoon?
Try it yourself now
50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: Physics. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.