4.1.4 Conduction of Heat

Last updated at April 25, 2026 by

What is Conduction of Heat?

It is the transfer of heat from one point to another of a material .

Key Facts and Examples
  • Metals are good conductors of heat .
Example: Metal spoons become hot when placed in hot water
  • Non-metals are poor conductors of heat .
Example: Wooden spoons remain cool when placed in hot water
  • Heat transfer makes metal objects become hot quickly .
Example: Metal cooking pans heat up fast on stoves
Heat Conduction Heat Transfer Good Conductors (Metals) Poor Conductors (Non-metals) Speed Heat transfers quickly Heat transfers slowly Examples Iron, copper, aluminium Wood, rubber, plastic Temperature Becomes hot fast Stays cool longer Uses Cooking utensils Handles, insulators

Activity 4.3: Testing Heat Conduction (Page 4)

What you need:

  • A glass tumbler
  • Hot water
  • A metal spoon
  • A wooden spoon of same size and thickness

What to do:

  • Step 1: Place glass tumbler on table
  • Step 2: Fill it with hot water
  • Step 3: Immerse both spoons simultaneously into hot water
  • Step 4: Leave them undisturbed for few minutes
  • Step 5: Carefully touch the upper end of each spoon

Observations

What you see:

Spoon Type Temperature at Top Heat Transfer
Metal spoon Hot to touch Good conduction
Wooden spoon Cool to touch Poor conduction

Why this happens:
We have studied that metals are good heat conductors . This is why metal spoons become hot while wooden spoons stay cool .

  • Metal atoms transfer heat energy quickly
  • Wood fibres block heat transfer effectively
Heat Conduction Process Hot water contact Spoon bottom touches hot water Heat moves up Energy travels through material Top gets warm Heat reaches the handle end Metal conducts, wood insulates!
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