Electrical and Thermal Conductors

​We are going to:

​1. Learn that conducting heat and electricity are properties of a substance.

2. Collect and record observations and measurements in tables.

3. Work safely in practical investigations.

4. Suggest how to improve an investigation.

5. Draw graphs of results and measurements and make conclusions.

6. Group substances according to their properties.

7. Identify the type of scientific enquiry used in an investigation.

8. Use scientific knowledge to make a prediction.

9. Use results to say if a prediction was accurate.

10. Identify and describe patterns in results.

​Thermal Conductors

​thermal = heat

​Discussion

​1. Which of the objects on the videos

are heat insulators?

​

2. What are heat insulators?

​Discussion

1. Which of the objects on the videos

are heat insulators?

table mats, chopsticks, and ceramic spoons

​

2. What are heat insulators?

Materials that do not allow heat

to flow through them easily.

​Discussion

1. Which of the objects on the videos

are heat conductors?

​

2. What are heat conductors?

​Discussion

1. Which of the objects on the videos

are heat conductors?

metal spoons

​

2. What are heat conductors?

Materials that allow heat

to flow through them easily.

​Think like a scientist

You will need:​

3 beads

​some butter

​a plastic spoon

​a ceramic bowl

and a bowl of hot water​

​Safety: Do not touch the hot water.

Be careful not to knock over

the bowl of hot water.

​a metal spoon

​a wooden spoon

​Let’s investigate how well different materials conduct heat.

Think like a scientist​

​Draw a table to record the order in which the beads fall off the materials.

​Prediction

Which bead fell off first

​Experiment

Which bead fell off first

​wooden spoon

​metal spoon

​plastic spoon

Think like a scientist​

Write a conclusion for the investigation from your observations.

​Prediction

Which bead fell off first

​Experiment

Which bead fell off first

​wooden spoon

​metal spoon

​plastic spoon

​Discussion

​How do you think the particle arrangements

in heat conductors different to those in

heat insulators?

​

Let’s have a look at the following video.

​Discussion

​Why do metals are amazing heat conductors?

​Discussion

​Why do metals are amazing heat conductors?

​Because metals have got free delocalized electrons

(the electrons that move freely throughout the space)

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Multiple Choice

Copper is used to make wires in electrical appliances because it is ________.

• a conductor of heat

• a conductor of electricity

• an insulator of heat

• an insulator of electricity