Is thermal conductivity the same as thermal resistance?

Thermal conductivity is a material property and describes the ability of the given material to conduct heat. Thermal resistance is another inherent thermal property of a material, and is the measure of how a material of a specific thickness resists the flow of heat.

What is the difference between thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity?

The key difference between thermal conductivity and diffusivity is that thermal conductivity refers to the ability of a material to conduct heat whereas thermal diffusivity refers to the measurement of the rate of transfer of heat of a material from its hot end to the cold end.

Is thermal conductivity dependent on material?

Thermal conductivity is a material property. It will not differ with the dimensions of a material, but it is dependent on the temperature, the density and the moisture content of the material. The thermal conductivity of a material depends on its temperature, density and moisture content.

What determines the thermal conductivity of a material?

The thermal conductivity of a specific material is highly dependent on a number of factors. These include the temperature gradient, the properties of the material, and the path length that the heat follows.

What is the difference between thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity?

By definition, electrical conductivity is a measure of how well electrical current (charge in motion) can pass through a material under the influence of an applied voltage/electric field. Thermal conductivity measures how well heat (thermal energy in motion) can pass through a material under a temperature differential.

How does thermal conductivity of material vary with temperature?

The thermal conductivity of liquids decreases with increasing temperature as the liquid expands and the molecules moves apart. While in solids, the thermal conductivity decreases at higher temperatures due to the anharmonic scattering which is inversely proportional to the temperatures changes.

What does the conductivity of material depend upon?

The conductivity of a material depends on the presence of free electrons. The materials which conduct electricity due to free electrons when an electric potential difference is applied across them are known as conducting materials.

Why is the thermal conductivity constant different?

Temperature. The effect of temperature on thermal conductivity is different for metals and nonmetals. In pure metals the electrical conductivity decreases with increasing temperature and thus the product of the two, the thermal conductivity, stays approximately constant.

What are the factors that affect thermal conductivity?

Factors affect in thermal conductivity of building insulation materials are reviewed. Temperature, moisture content, and density are the most important factors. Other factors include thickness, air velocity, pressing, and aging time. The relationship between main factors with thermal conductivity is presented.