Conduction - GCSE Physics Definition
Reviewed by: Leander Oates
Published
What is conduction?
In GCSE Physics, conduction is one mode of energy transfer through a substance. A thermal conductor is a material that conducts thermal energy. An electrical conductor is a material that conducts electricity.
Thermal energy is transferred through a material when there is a temperature difference. At the hotter end of the material, the atoms vibrate more vigorously and transfer their energy to nearby particles.
Charge flows through a metal when a potential difference is introduced due to the presence of free electrons. This flow of charge, or current, transfers energy through the conductor.
It is the ability of these free electrons to move that speeds up thermal conductivity in metals, so metals are good conductors of both electricity and thermal energy.
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