Lesson 3.5 - Heat Conductivity Rate: Part 2

You have discovered that metal conducts better than glass.  Do all metals conduct heat the same?  You will find out in the following investigation. 

Read the investigation on page 91 to the end of Part 2.

You will not perform this investigation, but you will use the results that a student recorded.  Then, answer the analysis questions that follow.

Time (min)

Copper Rod

Iron Rod

Aluminum Rod

Brass Rod

0

solid

solid

solid

solid

0.5

solid

solid

solid

solid

1.0

melted

solid

solid

solid

1.5

melted

solid

melted

solid

2.0

melted

solid

melted

melted

2.5

melted

melted

melted

melted

 

Question 1. What do these results tell you about the ability of various metals to conduct heat?

Question 2. Rank the metals according to their ability to conduct heat.

Question 3. Answer questions 4 and 6 in Conclude and Apply on page 91 of your textbook.

 

Check your answers with those that follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers to Questions:

Question 1. What do these results tell you about the ability of various metals to conduct heat?

Metals conduct heat at various rates.  Some metals are better conductors of heat than others.

Question 2. Rank the metals according to their ability to conduct heat.

According to the student results in the table, the metals are ranked from best conductor to poorest conductor as follows: copper, aluminum, brass, iron.

Question 3. Answer questions 4 and 6 in Conclude and Apply on page 91 of your textbook.

You want a fast transfer of heat in stoves, furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, and electrical appliances such as irons, hair dryers, paint strippers.  You want slow transfer of heat in your refrigerator, freezer, winter clothes, as well as walls and ceilings of your house.
Some materials feel colder than others because they transfer the heat quickly from your hand.  

 


Go to the next page to check your understanding of heat transfer before you start the assignment.