All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

Highest thermal conductivity is of _____

The correct answer is
Solid ice

Thermal Conductivity Comparison of Water States

Thermal conductivity is a measure of how effectively a material transfers heat. A higher value indicates better heat conduction.

Heat Transfer Properties: Ice, Water, and Steam

The thermal conductivity of water differs significantly across its common states:

  • Solid ice: Possesses a more ordered molecular structure and generally higher density than liquid water.
  • Liquid water: Molecules are less ordered than in ice.
  • Steam (gaseous water): Molecules are widely spaced, leading to low density and poor heat conduction.

Identifying Highest Thermal Conductivity

The trend for thermal conductivity is generally:

Solid > Liquid > Gas

Applying this to water:

Solid ice > Liquid water > Steam

Typical thermal conductivity values (units: Watts per meter Kelvin, W/m·K) illustrate this:

Solid ice: Approximately 2.2 W/m·K

Liquid water: Approximately 0.6 W/m·K

Steam: Approximately 0.025 W/m·K

Consequently, solid ice has the highest thermal conductivity among the options provided.

Was this answer helpful?

Important Questions from Conduction

  1. What is the state, in which none of the properties of the system change with time, known as?

  2. The process of heat transfer from one particle of the body to another without the actual motion of the particle, is known as ______ .

  3. Liquid metal having highest thermal conductivity is of _______.

  4. The transfer of heat through the molecules of matter in any body is called ________.

  5. Conduction takes place due to temperature gradients

Need Expert Advice?

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App