1. Conductors and Insulators
Chapter 8
Lesson 3

2. What are conductors & insulators?
CONDUCTORS- are material that easily conducts heat energy
They heat up quickly and evenly when exposed to a source of thermal energy: gold, copper, silver
INSULATORS- materials that do not heat well
Insulators absorb heat and do not distribute evenly
Gases, many nonmetals, wood, plastic, and glass
The better the insulator, the slower heat energy will move through the material
Some physical properties, such as boiling point and freezing point, require testing or investigations
Thermal Conductivity is the ability of a material to transfer heat

3. Examples
Answer= D
Insulators do not allow heat to move through easily.

4. Examples
Answer= B
Conductors allow heat to pass through easily

5. How are conductors and insulators used?
You use them every day. Thermal conductivity can be a very useful property and many things in the kitchen are made of metals
Frying pans need to be made out of conductive material so that your food will cook evenly.
Engineers, builders, and architects make decisions on which materials are used
Insulation is a material that is used to prevent heat from flowing into or out of a building. It keeps buildings warm in the winter and cool in the summer
Cloth, plastic, fiberglass, air, and other insulators can be used as insulation
Most houses and buildings have some type of insulation

6. How are conductors and insulators used?
Your clothing is also made of insulators
Bulky winter coats, sweaters, fleece jackets have material that trap hair
Wearing multiple layers of clothing has the same effect
Between each layer of clothing is a layer of air that is warmed by your body’s heat
Many insulators can be found in nature
Birds have a layer of soft, fluffy feathers called down. The down feathers trap air and keep it close to the bird’s bodies, helping them maintain their body temperature
The hair and fur found on many mammals works the same way.
Ocean mammals, such as whales and dolphins, have a layer of fat called blubber

7. How conductors/insulators are used examples
Answer=A
Remember that most of our clothing are insulators because we want to trap the air around us to keep us warm. Wearing a knitted hat will keep you warm, especially in colder weather

8. More examples Answer= C
Rubber is an insulator because it does not allow heat to pass through. If it did, you would burn your hands every time you touched the handle. The pot needs to be a conductor in order for you to cook your food.
Most metals are good conductors and copper is a metal!

9. Do conductors have other uses?
Conductivity can also be used to describe the ability of a material to conduct electricity
Materials that are good thermal conductors, such as metals, are often good electrical conductors as well.
Metals are good electrical conductors: copper is often used in electrical wires.
Rubber and plastic are insulators because they do not allow electrical charge to flow. They are usually placed around metal wires to protect you from electrical shock
Water is an electrical conductor. Never touch a power cord, switch, or electrical appliance while you are wet or in water

10. Conductors other uses examples
Answer= B
Metals are not only good conductors of heat, but also electricity

11. Conductors other uses examples
Answer= D
Isabella is the only student who has ALL metals in her pile of materials. Metals are good conductors of heat and electricity

12. How conductors/insulators are used examples
Answer= C
Many metals are good conductors. When heated, these can easily transfer heat.