answersLogoWhite

0

Thermal energy flows through any material where there are regions of different temperature. Obviously, heat flows from hot to cold.

The rate at which heat flows through a material is determined by the thermal conductivity of the material. All types of matter have some thermal conductivity. (Thermal resistivity is a related concept but is basically the inverse of thermal conductivity.)

Thermal conductivity is a materials specific property. There are tables of values available for all common substances. For all solids, the rate of heat flow is directly proportional to temperature difference. In a simple geometry, such as a flat plate with two surfaces at different temperatures, there is a simple formula to give the rate of heat flow from the hot surface to the cold one.

For fluids and gasses, the rate which thermal energy is transferred become complex because of convection processes where movement of the the liquid or gas itself occurs. This is a very geometry specific situation and there is no simple formula for calculating heat transfer rates. (People have developed useful formulas for some special cases and these are applied as needed in engineering.)

Though not immediately relevant, energy transfer can occur through radiative processes. It is necessary to mention that for completeness.

The basic answer is that a substance transfers thermal energy at a rate determined by its thermal conductivity.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is the name of an object which conducts heat or electricity?

A conductor is a substance that conducts heat or electricity.


What is the substance through which heat will travel by conduction?

Any substance will work for this. That is, any substance conducts heat, but some do so better than others. A substance that conducts heat well is called a conductor. Examples include all metals.


The rate at which a substance conducts thermal energy is called?

substance mass


If a substance conducts heat easily it is considered to be a?

If a substance conducts heat easily, it is considered to be a good conductor of heat. Materials like metals, such as copper and aluminum, are known for their high thermal conductivity, allowing heat to flow through them quickly.


If a substance conducts heat easily what is t cosided to be?

A thermal conductor.


What is a thermal conductor?

A substance / system that conducts heat to / from a surface, with resorting to (external) fluid flow.


Is a thermal conductor?

A substance / system that conducts heat to / from a surface, with resorting to (external) fluid flow.


Does the rate of heating equal to the rate of cooling of a substance?

No, the rate of heating and the rate of cooling of a substance are not necessarily equal. The rate of heating refers to how quickly a substance gains heat energy, while the rate of cooling refers to how quickly a substance loses heat energy. These rates can be different depending on factors like the material of the substance, the temperature gradient, and the presence of insulation.


What conducts heat?

metal conducts heatEverything conducts heat, to a greater or lesser extent.


When does the addition of heat to a substance not result in a temperature increase?

-- When the heat causes the substance to melt or vaporize. -- When heat is being leaked out of the substance at the same rate somewhere else.


Wht is a good thermal conductor?

A good thermal conductor is a piece of material that conducts heat fast. This means it accepts heat readily but it also looses heat at the same rate of change.


What do you call a substance that conducts electricity?

Insulator