Thermal conductivity of aluminium, copper and stainless steel increase

Thermal conductivity of aluminium, copper and stainless steel increases in the order

[amp_mcq option1=”Copper < Aluminium < Stainless Steel" option2="Stainless Steel < Aluminium < Copper" option3="Aluminium < Copper < Stainless Steel" option4="Copper < Stainless Steel < Aluminium" correct="option2"]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2015

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Thermal conductivity is a measure of a material’s ability to conduct heat. Generally, pure metals are good thermal conductors, while alloys and non-metals are poorer conductors. Among the given options, copper is an excellent thermal conductor, aluminium is also good but less so than copper, and stainless steel (an alloy of iron, chromium, nickel, etc.) is a relatively poor conductor compared to pure metals. Typical thermal conductivity values (in W/m·K) are approximately: Copper ≈ 400, Aluminium ≈ 205, Stainless Steel ≈ 15-20. Therefore, the order of increasing thermal conductivity is Stainless Steel < Aluminium < Copper.

Different materials have different thermal conductivity values; pure metals like copper and aluminium are typically better conductors than alloys like stainless steel.

Good thermal conductors are used in applications like heat sinks and cooking utensils, while poor conductors (thermal insulators) are used for insulation purposes.

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