Conduction of Heat Flashcards
All 5 cards in this deck
What is thermal conductivity?
A measure of how quickly energy is transferred by conduction through a material.
What effect do thicker walls have on the rate of cooling of a building?
They reduce the rate of cooling — energy is transferred through them more slowly.
What effect does a high thermal conductivity of the walls have on the rate of cooling of a building?
The building cools more quickly, because energy is conducted through the walls faster.
True or false? Trapped air makes a good thermal insulator.
True. Air has a low thermal conductivity, which is why cavity wall insulation and double glazing work.
What are the steps to investigate which of two materials is the better insulator?
e.g. comparing sand and sawdust around a can of hot water- Put the same volume of hot water, at the same starting temperature, into identical cans surrounded by the same thickness of each material.
- Use a thermometer and stop clock to record the water temperature at equal time intervals.
- The material giving the smaller temperature drop (sand or sawdust) is the better insulator.