Name the best conductor of heat

Q. Name the best conductor of heat?

Conductors

Conductors are generally materials with high mobility of electrons, while on the other hand, insulators are materials with comparatively low mobility of electrons.

Metals are believed to be superior thermal conductors for the reasons mentioned:                                                                       

•         Metal ions are tightly concentrated inside the metallic structure, which means that heat transmission between two ends is now more effective than in non-metals.
•         Secondly, the amount of available electrons increases heat flow, resulting in metals being strong heat conductors.

Best Conductors

Most current products that we use in our day to day life, such as water heaters and cookware, depend on effective heat conductivity to function properly. As a result, the majority are made of various types of metal. Some metals, such as alloys, transmit heat more efficiently than others, allowing these appliances to meet your demands.

Some of the metals considered as best conductors of heat are Copper, Aluminium, Silver, Gold, Graphite, Platinum etc.

Silver

Since Silver acts as a brilliant reflector, silver is among the finest metals for transmitting heat. As a result, silver may be found in many different goods, including circuit boards and batteries. Silver paste, a newly innovated bi-product from silver, is already in high demand due to its application in ecologically friendly energy options. Photovoltaic cells, a crucial element in solar energy panels, are made with silver plate.

Copper

Copper is also an excellent heat conductor since it absorbs heat swiftly and keeps it for a long time. Copper is indeed a corrosion-resistant metal. Copper is commonly used in cookware, computers, & heating systems due to its flexibility.

Conclusion

Silver metal is a good choice with a heat conduction coefficient of around 430 w/(MK). Gold, as well as copper, is equally close to silver in thermal conductivity. However, copper is generally favoured over silver in many applications since it is less costly.