how is heat conducted through a metal?

Question

in simple terms

Answer 1

heat is conducted through metal because of the metallic bonds of the atoms and the way they're arranged.

Answer 2

In simple terms. Hmmm. Imagine a spider web. Everywhere that there is an intersection of thread, that is where an atom lies. The thread represents chemical bonds. Imagine that the thread is really springy, like car suspension.

Simplistically, matter is like a three-d spider web of the kind I just introduced.

Ok, so one of the things that happens when atoms absorb energy (heat, light, etc) is that they try to move. However, this movement can be in any direction. So when you subject one side of a metal bar to heat, the atoms that receive the heat begin to try to move, yet they are restricted by the bonds, so they can't go anywhere, so they just vibrate.

As they vibrate, the thread transmits the vibration and causes neighboring atoms to vibrate as well. With time, this effect cascades down the entire length of the metal bar. Clearly the atoms farthest from the source of energy (the cold side) will vibrate less.

It is this net vibration of atoms within the "molecular lattice" of a material that we call heat.

Answer 3

Thermal energy is required in many different aspects of our lives. Heating systems and refrigeration both rely on this type of energy to function; they function by adding or removing thermal energy from an object or area to control its temperature. This transfer of energy can occur by three methods: conduction, convection or radiation. Conduction is the most direct transfer of energy, as it requires two objects to directly contact one another. Thermal energy moves from particle to particle throughout a material as heat is conducted.

Conduction takes place when water heats on a stove top, or when a person takes a warm bath, or when a hot pan is cooled by running it under cold water. The mechanism of conduction is simple. As the temperature of a substance increases, so does the kinetic energy of its individual particles, which causes them to resonate rapidly within that substance. These high energy particles then collide with those at a lower temperature, transferring energy through the substance. For example, if a metallic spoon were placed in hot water, initially only the particles in contact with the water would increase in thermal energy. The energy would then propagate through the spoon until heat was felt at its handle.

Some materials are naturally good conductors of heat, while others are poor. Metals usually conduct heat extremely well, which explains the use of iron and copper in cooking utensils. Materials such as plastic, glass or wood do not conduct well; therefore, it is a better idea to use a wooden spoon than a metal spoon when cooking.

In this experiment, students will explore conduction through two examples. The first will compare the conductive capabilities of copper and cork. They should find copper, a metal, to conduct heat much faster than the cork. The second example will test the conductivity of three kitchen utensils made of plastic, wood and metal. They are asked to determine which utensil heats the quickest. Metal conducts heat at least 500 times better than wood. The relation between heat conductivities for wood and plastic depends on the type of plastic, but the values are similar. Use the driving question to explore other examples of good and poor heat conductors used in everyday life.

Answer 4

Heat is conducted through metal by the atoms vibrating from the source of the heat, and in turn they vibrate the neighboring atoms next to them.

Answer 5

@ Jim R:

more conductive electrically speaking doesn't always mean more thermally conductive. there is a large search to find electrical conductors that are poor heat conductors. the heat conduction would involve lattice vibrations and not electrical conduction mechanisms like suggested before.

honestly, "lattice vibrations" would have been fine. kira could've done some further research for her homework and everyone would've been happy.

Answer 6

Through the motion fo the molecules. Heating one end of a bar of metal increases molecular motion at that end, but since the molecules are tightly bonded, the next layer heats up rapidly, etc.

Answer 7

metals are made up of atoms. when we heat one part of the metal atoms of that part start vibrating due to the gain in energy.Actually there are certain bands in metals.In these bands electrons are placed.in metals these bands are either halffilled or empty.On heating these electrons move to these empty bands.This continues till the electrons (having energy in form of vibration energy)reach the other end.In this way heat is transfered

Answer 8

The more "conductive " a metal is the better it conducts heat.

Electricity and heat are forms of energy.

For instance silver is more conductive than iron.

Do you understand?

Answer 9

we all know that all matter is made up of small particles called atoms.
some may have atoms which are very good conductors of heat but some may not.
as all metals are good conductors of heat the heat is passed on from one atom to another till the whole metal get's heated up.

Answer 10

Heat is transferred in metals such as electricity is. It is "jumping electrons" in laymens terms. Because heat, or scientifcally know as energy excites electrons, they begin to jump. These jumping electrons rub against one another, and in turn cause heat to move or expand.

EDIT:

You noobs... I am explaining in simple terms. And for that knucklehead who wrote in all caps down there, I said nothing of charged particles/electrons. durr. HEAT IS TRANSFERRED BY MEANS OF ELECTRONIC MOVEMENT. Which means electrons are responsible for the dispersal of heat. DUHH - WHAT MAKES THE ATOM TURN AND SPIN??? ELECTRONS ~ HELLLLO? >:]