P2 Energy Transfer by Heating - AQA Trilogy Physics

Conductor

• energy can pass through it

• metals are best conductors of energy

Insulator

• heat and/or electricity can’t easily pass through it

• non metals such as wool and fibreglass are the best insulators

Thermal Conductivity

• a material’s ability to conduct heat

Specific Heat Capacity

• the energy needed to raise the temperature of 1kg of the substance by 1°C

• specific heat capacity (J/kg°C) = energy transferred (J) / ( mass (kg) x temp change (°C) )