Thermal and Electrical Conductivity

Isla, Benjamin, and Mia are conducting a science experiment. They want to understand how a metal spoon gets hot when one end is placed in a pot of boiling water. Which process is this an example of?

• The process of converting heat into electricity

• The process of converting electricity into heat

• The process of transferring heat or electricity through a vacuum

• Transfer of heat or electricity through a substance or material

Which materials are good conductors of heat?

• Metals

• Glass

• Wood

• Plastics

What is an insulator?

• A material that conducts electricity and heat easily.

• A material that is transparent to light.

• A material that is magnetic.

• A material that does not conduct electricity or heat easily.

Give an example of a good insulator.

• rubber

• glass

• wood

• plastic

What is electrical conductivity?

• The measure of a material's ability to conduct an electric current.

• The measure of a material's ability to generate an electric current.

• The measure of a material's ability to resist the flow of electric current.

• The measure of a material's ability to store an electric current.

Which materials are good conductors of electricity?

• Plastic, wood, and glass

• Rubber, paper, and fabric

• Water, oil, and air

• Metals like copper, silver, and gold

What is the main difference between conductors and insulators?

• Conductors allow the flow of electric current, while insulators do not.

• Conductors allow the flow of heat, while insulators do not.

• Conductors are made of metal, while insulators are made of plastic.

• Conductors have high resistance, while insulators have low resistance.

What property of metals allows them to be efficient conductors of heat and electricity?

• Metals have a low density of atoms.

• Metals have a high number of immobile electrons.

• Metals have a high number of free electrons that can move easily through the metal lattice.

• Metals have a high melting point, restricting electron movement.

What are some common examples of conductors?

• plastic

• metals

• glass

• wood

Why are rubber and plastic good insulators?

• High resistance to the flow of electricity

• High thermal conductivity

• Good conductors of electricity

• Low resistance to the flow of electricity