Conductors and insulators of heat

In a nutshell

Materials will conduct heat in different ways. Materials that are conductors will conduct heat well, insulating materials are not good at conducting heat.

Heat

Heat will travel through warmer materials to cooler materials to maintain a temperature balance; this process is referred to as conduction of heat.

Conductors

Definition

Materials that allow heat to travel through them easily. These materials are used when heat is transported to somewhere else. 

Examples of conductors 

Metals and graphite

Example

A saucepan heats up on the stove to warm food. The metal saucepan heats up whereas the handle does not as it has a rubber insulator.

Insulators 

Definition

Materials that do not allow heat to travel through them. These materials are used to keep heat in or out. 

Examples of insulators

Wood, fabrics, plastics and rubber. 

Example

Rubber is used to insulate handles on saucepans. It ensures that the heat from the pan does not transfer and the saucepan is safe to hold. 

Example

Which of the following types of materials are an example of an insulator?

Copper, tin, cotton, silver and aluminium 

Cotton is the only material that will not conduct heat.