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Difference between revisions of "Thermal Insulator"

(Thermal Insulators and Energy Transfer)
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*[[Thermal Conductivity]] - The lower the [[Thermal Conductivity|thermal conductivity]] the better the [[material]] is as an '''insulator'''.
 
*[[Thermal Conductivity]] - The lower the [[Thermal Conductivity|thermal conductivity]] the better the [[material]] is as an '''insulator'''.
 
*Thickness - The thicker the [[material]] the better it will be at reducing [[Energy Transfer|energy transfer]] and the more effective the '''insulation'''.
 
*Thickness - The thicker the [[material]] the better it will be at reducing [[Energy Transfer|energy transfer]] and the more effective the '''insulation'''.
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===References===
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====AQA====
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:[https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1782946403/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=1782946403&linkCode=as2&tag=nrjc-21&linkId=32a0abb60dff015b15b50e9b1d7b4644 ''Insulators (thermal), pages 34, 36, 37, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Physics, CGP, AQA '']

Revision as of 11:13, 7 November 2019

Key Stage 3

Meaning

A thermal insulator is a material that does not allow thermal energy through easily by conduction.

About Thermal Conductors

Non-metals usually make the best thermal insulators.
Metals make poor thermal insulators.
Gases make good thermal insulators.

Key Stage 4

Meaning

A thermal insulator is a material with a low thermal conductivity.

About Thermal Insulators

Thermal insulators can be used to prevent objects from changing temperature.
Good thermal insulation around a house can help to keep the contents warm in winter and cool in summer.

Thermal Insulators and Energy Transfer

When two objects close to one another are at different temperatures energy will be transferred from the hotter object to the cooler one until they are both the same temperature. They are said to be in thermal equilibrium.
Thermal insulators can reduce the rate at which energy is transferred between objects of different temperature.

The effectiveness of a thermal insulator is affected by two factors:

References

AQA

Insulators (thermal), pages 34, 36, 37, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Physics, CGP, AQA