Heat and Thermal Conduction
Heat is a form of energy that moves from warmer objects to cooler ones, and different materials conduct heat at different rates.
What You Need to Know
Key Concept Diagram
Heat energy moves from hotter objects to cooler objects until they reach the same temperature
Thermal conduction is the transfer of heat through a material by direct contact
Conductors (e.g. metals) transfer heat quickly; insulators (e.g. wood, plastic) transfer heat slowly
Insulators are used to keep things warm (e.g. thermos flasks) or protect us from heat (e.g. oven gloves)
Key Vocabulary
Heat
A form of energy that flows from a hotter object to a cooler one
Thermal conduction
The transfer of heat through a material by direct contact between particles
Conductor
A material that allows heat (or electricity) to flow through it easily (e.g. copper, iron)
Insulator
A material that does not transfer heat (or electricity) easily, slowing energy flow (e.g. rubber, wool)
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
Heat energy always moves:
Question 2
Which material is the best thermal conductor?
Question 3
Why are oven gloves made from thick fabric rather than metal?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Heat energy moves from hotter objects to cooler objects until they reach the same temperature
- ●Thermal conduction is the transfer of heat through a material by direct contact
- ●Conductors (e.g. metals) transfer heat quickly; insulators (e.g. wood, plastic) transfer heat slowly
- ●Insulators are used to keep things warm (e.g. thermos flasks) or protect us from heat (e.g. oven gloves)