Which one of the following have a highest thermal conductivity?a)Boili...
Understanding Thermal Conductivity
Thermal conductivity is a measure of a material's ability to conduct heat. It varies significantly across different states of matter (solid, liquid, gas).
Factors Affecting Thermal Conductivity
- State of Matter: Solids generally have higher thermal conductivity than liquids and gases due to closely packed molecules.
- Molecular Structure: The arrangement and bonding of atoms affect how easily heat can be transferred.
Comparison of Options
- Boiling Water: While water can conduct heat, its thermal conductivity is lower than that of solids. Its value is about 0.6 W/m·K.
- Steam: As a gas, steam has a lower thermal conductivity compared to liquids and solids. The thermal conductivity of steam is around 0.02 W/m·K.
- Solid Ice: Ice, being a solid, has a higher thermal conductivity than water in liquid form. The thermal conductivity of ice is approximately 2.2 W/m·K.
- Rainwater: Similar to boiling water, rainwater has low thermal conductivity, comparable to that of boiling water.
Conclusion
Based on the comparison, solid ice (option C) possesses the highest thermal conductivity among the listed options. This is due to its solid state, which allows for efficient heat transfer through tightly packed molecular structures. In contrast, the other options (boiling water, steam, and rainwater) are either in liquid or gaseous states, resulting in lower thermal conductivity.
Thus, the correct answer is indeed option C: Solid Ice.