Investigating conductors
An experiment can be used to investigate which metal is the best A material which allows heat energy to move easily by conduction. Metals are good conductors because they contain free electrons. of heat.
It involves some long thin strips of different metals (eg iron, aluminium and copper), Vaseline, drawing pins and a Bunsen burner.
- Fix the drawing pin to the end of the metal strip using spots of Vaseline.
- Position the other end of the metal strip into a Bunsen flame.
- Record the time taken for the wax to melt and the drawing pin to drop off.
The fastest time shows the best conductor of heat.
Control variables: length of metal rod, diameter of rods, position in the Bunsen flame.
The drawing pin falls off the copper rod first followed by the aluminium.
From this we can conclude that copper conducts better than aluminium, while aluminium conducts better than iron and brass.