Why does metal conduct heat so easily?

Answer 1

Poor electrical conductors like glass, plastic, wood, etc. conduct heat mainly through vibrations among the molecules. As molecules vibrate, they bump into their neighbors from time to time, transferring some of their energy (i.e. heat). Those neighbors then bump in to some of their neighbors on the other side and transfer some of the energy to them. The process continues, and the heat is transferred through the material, but it happens quite slowly because the molecules are mostly stuck in place (because they're part of a solid material. If they were liquid or gas, they could move around more freely and transport heat more quickly. That process is called convection, rather than conduction).

Anyway, metals and other good electrical conductors have the ability to transfer energy through an additional mechanism. In this case, the vibrating molecules literally shake off some of their weakly-bound electrons (which are plentiful in metals and all other good electrical conductors). These high-energy electrons then fly away and bump into other molecules or electrons, transferring the heat. Unlike entire vibrating molecules, however, individual electrons are so small that they can travel much longer distances at much, much higher speeds before they bump into anything. (It's sort of like shooting a gun in a forest. The bullet may travel several hundred feet or more before it actually strikes a tree. If you tried to drive a bus in that same forest, however, you couldn't go more than a few feet without running into something).

Answer 2

1-heat is a form of energy, kinetic energy on a nuclear level, when any matter acquires energy it's atoms start to move.

2-this energy that takes the form of irregular motion of atoms is transfered by collision between the atoms that posses energy and those who posses less energy; this is called heat transfer which happens only when there is a difference in tempreture, when there is no difference there is no transfer.

3-temperature is the average kinetic energy; e.g a cup of tea has more temperature than the Pacific Ocean, though the net kinetic energy in joules possessed by water of the pacific is definitely more than a silly cup of tea.

4-NOW a metal's density , the number of atoms , is very high; thus when it acquires heat it's atoms start to move , and since it's density is high then the average kinetic energy ,i.e temperature , is high ;this high temperature results in a greater difference in temperature with the surroundings, finally it looks like it conducts heat bitter.

note that some substance's conductivity may be hindered for another reason like wood because it is wet with water. 1-heat is a form of energy, kinetic energy on a nuclear level, when any matter acquires energy it's atoms start to move.

2-this energy that takes the form of irregular motion of atoms is transfered by collision between the atoms that posses energy and those who posses less energy; this is called heat transfer which happens only when there is a difference in tempreture, when there is no difference there is no transfer.

3-temperature is the average kinetic energy; e.g a cup of tea has more temperature than the pacific ocean, though the net kinetic energy in joules possessed by water of the pacific is definitely more than a silly cup of tea.

4-NOW a metal's density , the number of atoms , is very high; thus when it acquires heat it's atoms start to move , and since it's density is high then the average kinetic energy ,i.e temperature , is high ;this high temperature results in a greater difference in temperature with the surroundings, finally it looks like it conducts heat bitter.

note that some substance's conductivity may be hindered for another reason like wood because it is wet with water.

Answer 3

In a metal the outer shell electrons are shared mutually between atoms and are free to move about. These electrons can carry energy such as heat fairly quickly and easily through a mass of metal.

Answer 4

the no of valence electrons in metals is less than in non metals.That means that there is lesser force of attraction between the electrons and nucleous.So, they are more free to move freely.

Heat causes these electrons to vibrate and thus allows easier movement( most of the reactions require heat to occur)When heat is produced, the electrons in the metals start vibrating much more than non metal electrons.This to and fro motion helps them to transfer the energy to nearby atoms.This process goes on conducting heat to the other end.

Answer 5

Metals conduct electricity because the electrons in a metal crystal can move freely among the atoms.

Answer 6

Metals can conduct heat and metal so well for a few reasons. They have free or mobile electrons, so the vibration from the heat can travel easily through the metal.

Answer 7

because of the presence of free electrons

Answer 8

Yes, metals is a good conductor of heat.