Aim: To investigate the rate of thermal conduction in four different metals.
Results Table
Metal
Trial 1 (s)
Trial 2 (s)
Trial 3 (s)
Average (s)
Copper
—
Aluminium
—
Brass
—
Iron
—
Analysis
Order the metals from best to worst thermal conductor based on your average times. Which metal conducted heat fastest?
Why does the ball bearing drop? The wax melts when it reaches its melting point. The faster heat travels along the rod, the sooner the wax melts and the ball bearing falls. The first ball to drop is attached to the best thermal conductor.