Focus Physics

Conduction

Core concepts and learning points for this section:

Syllabus Points

Core

  • 2.3.1.1 Describe experiments to demonstrate the properties of good thermal conductors and bad thermal conductors (thermal insulators)

Supplement

  • 2.3.1.2 Describe thermal conduction in all solids in terms of atomic or molecular lattice vibrations and also in terms of the movement of free (delocalised) electrons in metallic conductors
  • 2.3.1.3 Describe, in terms of particles, why thermal conduction is bad in gases and most liquids
  • 2.3.1.4 Know that there are many solids that conduct thermal energy better than thermal insulators but do so less well than good thermal conductors