Demonstrating Conduction (Cambridge International IGCSE Science)

Thermal conductors

Spec point — P2.3.1

Good and bad thermal conductors

• Good thermal conductors are solids which easily transfer heat

  • For example; a metal pan or a ceramic tea cup
  • Almost all metals are good thermal conductors

• Bad thermal conductors (also called insulators) are solids which do not transfer heat well

  • For example; a wool blanket or layers of cardboard or paper
  • Non-metals or organic materials (from plants or animals) are often poor thermal conductors