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Chapter 24: Problem 4

Good conductors of electricity are often good conductors of heat. Why might this be?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Good conductors of electricity are often good conductors of heat due to the behavior of free electrons in the materials. These free electrons not only facilitate the transfer of electric charge but also facilitate the transfer of heat due to their increased movements and vibrations when heat is applied. Therefore, materials with high free electron densities, such as metals, are usually good conductors of both electricity and heat.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the essence of electrical and thermal conduction

Electricity conduction occurs when charged particles, particularly electrons, move through a material. Thermal conduction, on the other hand, happens when heat energy propagates through a material due to the physical movement or vibrations of particles. Hence, both processes revolve around the movement of particles or energy conservation principles.
02

Establish a connection between electrical and thermal conduction

Materials with higher free electron densities usually have better conduction properties since these free electrons facilitate the transfer of energy. When an electric current is applied to such a material, these free electrons drift and carry the electric charge, facilitating electrical conduction. On the other hand, when heat is applied, the free electrons gain kinetic energy, and their increased vibrations and movement result in thermal conduction.
03

Conclude

Since both electrical and thermal conduction in good conducting materials depend on the behavior of free electrons in the material, there is a direct correlation between the two. Therefore, materials that are good electric conductors, having a high density of free electrons, are often also good thermal conductors.

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