What are some important reasons for knowing the thermal conductivity of a substance?

Question

Sci HW

Answer 1

If you have a pot that is made of cast iron (hint: good thermal conductor) you better have a kitchen glove on your hand (hint: cotton and air between its strands are a poor thermal condictors) before you grab it from the hot stove.

In short, poor thermal conductors help you to keep cold things cold and warm things warm. Good thermal conductors help you transfer the heat from one object to another.

If you want deeper and more science-related applications - if you are building a low temperature (or high-temperature) experiment in your lab you want the heart of the experimental apparatus to stay cold but you want the outsides to be oom-temperature. You need to find the right materials and also develop techniques on how to use them.