2007-02-28 13:39:45 · 2 answers · asked by katie d 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Heat can not only be conducted by electrons, but also by phonons, or vibrations within the crystal lattice. So even if a material has no free electrons (therefore it is an electrical insulator) it can still be a good thermal conductor via phonon carriers.
2007-02-28 14:01:17 · answer #1 · answered by trickshottim.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good conductor of electric is also a good conductor of heat because conduction band electrons conduct both electricity and heat. The converse is often true, but heat is conducted by phonons too, so there are exceptions, especially for hard materials. Diamond, for example is an good electrical insulator, but has the highest thermal conductivity of any material at room temperature.
2007-02-28 22:23:40 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋