What does thermal conductivity measure?

Thermal conductivity measures the rate of energy transfer through a material via conduction. This property quantifies how well a material can conduct heat. A higher thermal conductivity indicates that a material is more effective at transferring heat, while a lower thermal conductivity means that it insulates better. This property is critical in various applications, from building materials to thermal insulators in manufacturing processes, as it directly affects how heat moves through different substances.

Understanding thermal conductivity is essential for scientists and engineers when designing systems that either need to efficiently transfer heat or prevent heat transfer. For example, in building construction, materials with low thermal conductivity are chosen for insulation purposes, while metals with high thermal conductivity might be used in applications where heat needs to be dissipated quickly.