Conductivity of Metals (Rana Khan)

Author

Rana Khan Will Rogers High School

Principles

Conductivity

Heat Transfer

Standards

PS1: Matter and its Interaction

Materials needed

• different metal bars of equal lenght connected to a center

• butter / wax or any material that can melt

• burner

• lighter

Procedure

1. Put on the butter or wax on the tips of the bars.

2. Lit the burner and place the center of the equipment on flame.

3. Make sure the flame is in the center and not leaning towards any of the bar more than other.

4. Record and observe which one melts first.

5. Take reading

Explanation

We know that different metals have different conductivity and the metals we have are Aluminum, Brass, Copper, Nickel, and Steel. As we know that Aluminum does conduct heat and electricity faster than other metals you will see the butter melt first and then Brass, then Copper, Nickel and steel.

Questions

1. What factors make the material melt first?

2. Why does brass melt before copper and Nickel?

3. Does electricity have the same effect for this phenomenon?

Everyday examples of the principles illustrated:

The cooking pots, electric chords etc.

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