Thermal conduction and insulation
I can explain how energy is transferred by thermal conduction in metals and non–metals.
Thermal conduction and insulation
I can explain how energy is transferred by thermal conduction in metals and non–metals.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The faster the particles of a substance are vibrating or moving, the higher the substance's temperature.
- In solids, energy is transferred by vibrating particles colliding with nearby particles, causing them to vibrate more.
- Metals are good conductors as their free electrons move through them more quickly when heated and transfer energy.
- Thermal conductors can feel cold because they transfer energy quickly away from their surface.
- Thermal insulators can feel warm because they do not transfer energy quickly from their surface.
Common misconception
Pupils often do not accept that all objects left in a room for a long time are the same temperature.
Provide opportunities to consolidate the understanding that particles vibrating with more energy transfer some of that energy to particles with less energy through collisions and when bonded together in a solid.
Keywords
Heating - causes the particles of a substance to move or vibrate more rapidly
Thermal conduction - the transfer of energy through a material due to collisions between moving or vibrating particles
Thermal insulation - reduces the transfer of energy by thermal conduction
Thermal conductors - substances that transfer energy by thermal conduction quickly
Thermal insulators - substances that transfer energy by thermal conduction slowly or not at all
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
causes the particles of a substance to move or vibrate more rapidly
energy transfer in a material due to particle vibration or movement
reduces how quickly energy is transferred by thermal conduction
substances that transfer energy by thermal conduction quickly
substances that transfer energy by thermal conduction slowly