Question 1

What is thermal conductivity?

Accepted Answer

Thermal conductivity measures a material's ability to conduct heat. Higher values mean better heat conduction.

Question 2

What is a good thermal conductor?

Accepted Answer

Copper has a thermal conductivity of about 401 W/(m·K), while air is about 0.025 W/(m·K).

Question 3

What are typical thermal conductivity values for common materials?

Accepted Answer

Diamond: ~2000 W/(m·K). Silver: 429. Copper: 401. Aluminum: 237. Steel: 50. Glass: 1. Wood: 0.1–0.2. Styrofoam: 0.03. Still air: 0.025 W/(m·K).

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