What is thermal conductivity?

Thermal conductivity refers to the property of a material that dictates how well it conducts heat. It quantifies the rate at which heat energy is transferred through a substance, typically measured in watts per meter-kelvin (W/m·K). Materials with high thermal conductivity, such as metals, efficiently transfer heat, while those with low thermal conductivity, like insulators, resist heat flow.

Understanding thermal conductivity is essential in various applications, such as selecting building materials for energy efficiency or designing heat exchangers in engineering. It provides insight into how materials behave under temperature changes, affecting processes in both chemistry and physics.