[Virginia Tech Department of Physics]

Lecture Demonstrations

Heat & Thermodynamics
   

H40: Thermal Conductivity

 

Purpose: To illustrate the relative thermal conductivity of different materials and also how conduction is affected by the cross-sectional area.

Description:

 

A hub with six rods of different materials of the same diameter and length (nickel, nickel-silver, iron, copper, brass, aluminum) and an iron rod twice the diameter of the other, stand with clamps, Bunsen burner, wax, and seven steel balls.

Attach the steel balls to the end of each bar of metal with a small piece of wax. Then heat the center hub with a Bunsen burner. The relative conductivity is illustrated by the relative times required for the wax to melt and the ball to drop from each rod. As explained in detail in the manufacturer's instructions, to account for the difference in time for the iron rods of different diameters, you must consider not only the larger cross-sectional area but also the larger surface area that dissipates heat to the surroundings.

Equipment List: Storage Location: CHEMP 130A
  A hub with six rods of different materials C4.3
  Propane burner C4.3

References:

Manual: None   Setup Notes: H40 PIRA #:
Manufacturer(s): Other school's Demonstration web pages

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