Understanding Conduction: How Heat and Electricity Move Through Materials

conduction

the movement of heat between objects that are touching each other.

Conduction is the process of transferring heat or electricity through a substance or material without any movement of the material itself. In other words, it is the direct transfer of heat or electricity from one object to another through physical contact.

For example, if you touch a hot stove, the heat from the stove is transferred to your hand through conduction. The metal pan on the stove conducts heat to its handle and finally to your hand as the handle and your hand come in contact with each other.

The rate of conduction depends on various factors, such as the type of material, its thickness, and the temperature difference between the two objects. Generally, metals are good conductors of heat and electricity, while insulators (such as wood, plastic, and rubber) are poor conductors.

In terms of thermal insulation, materials with low thermal conductivity are preferred because they hinder the heat flow through conduction and keep the inner environment at a desired temperature for an extended period.

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