Physical Science · Heat & Materials

Insulators & Conductors: Which Materials Transfer Heat?

Compare how quickly thermal energy moves through different materials, then use evidence to choose a material for a simple design problem.

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Lesson overview

Observe that different materials can transfer thermal energy at different rates.
Use evidence from a fair ice-melt test to compare a conductor with an insulator.

Thermal energy moves from warmer objects or places toward cooler ones.
Some materials let thermal energy move through them faster than others.
Metals often conduct thermal energy well; materials such as wood, foam, and many plastics usually transfer it more slowly.