Question

Give two examples each of conductors and insulators of heat.

Answer 1

Hint: Conductors are the materials that can transfer energy from one part to another part easily. Insulators cannot transfer energy along its body.

Complete step by step answer:

Let us first look into the definition of these two terms.

Material is a conductor of heat when it can transfer heat from one part of the material to the other part of the material. Transfer of heat is possible due to the vibration of atoms. When we heat a part of the conductor, the atoms in that region start to vibrate rapidly. Metals are good conductors because they form lattice structure and the vibration becomes easy. So, a vibrating atom induces vibration in the neighbouring atom, and that is how heat is transferred from one part of the material to the other part.

Generally, all metals are good conductors of heat. Hence, two examples of conductors are copper and gold. Both of them are excellent conductors of heat.

Insulators are the materials which can not transfer heat at all. These materials do not have the properties to conduct heat from one part of the material to the other. This is why they are called insulators of heat. These properties are used in a number of ways.

For example, many hard plastics are good insulators. That is why they are used on the handles of utensils.

The second example of an insulator is wood. Wood is often used to make spatula and other cooking utensils.

Note:
The terms ‘Conductor’ and ‘Insulator’ can be used for any type of energy flow. Conductors can transfer energy, whereas insulators can’t.

Here are some more examples of conductors:
Silver, aluminium, brass, bronze, graphite, etc.

Some of the examples of the insulator are:
Glass, plastic, ceramic, rubber, wood, fabric, wool, cork, etc.