There are three heat transfer methods namely radiation, convection, and

conduction. For heat to be transferred from one point to another temperature

gradient must exist between the two points. Heat transfer alters the internal
energy of the bodies involved and it does so according to the First Law of
Thermodynamics.

Conduction
Conduction occurs when molecules agitate in a material with no movement of
the material as a whole. Suppose one end of a metal bar has a higher
temperature than the other end, heat will be transmitted down the bar to the
colder side since the high velocity particles will bombard with the slow particle
thus transferring heat energy to the slow particles.

The governing equation for conduction is:

Q kA (T hot T cold )
=
t
d
Where:
Q heat transfer in time t
A- area
d- thickness of the barrier
k-thermal conductivity of the barrier

Thermal Conductivity
Material
Diamond

Thermal conductivity
(cal/sec)/(cm2 C/cm)

Thermal conductivity
(W/m K)*

...

1000

Silver

1.01

406.0

Copper

0.99

385.0

...

314

Gold

Brass

...

109.0

Aluminium

0.50

205.0

Iron

0.163

79.5

Steel

...

50.2

Lead

0.083

34.7

...

8.3

Ice

0.005

1.6

Glass

0.0025

0.8

Concrete

0.002

0.8

Water at 20 C

0.0014

0.6

Asbestos

0.0004

0.08

Snow (dry)

0.00026

...

Fiberglass

0.00015

0.04

Brick,

...

0.15

Brick, red

...

0.6

Cork board

0.00011

0.04

Wool felt

0.0001

0.04

Rock wool

...

0.04

Polystyrene

...

0.033

Polyurethane

...

0.02

0.0001

0.12-0.04

0.000057

0.024

Helium (20C)

...

0.138

Hydrogen(20C)

...

0.172

Nitrogen(20C)

...

0.0234

Oxygen(20C)

...

0.0238

Silica aerogel

...

0.003

Mercury

Wood
Air at 0 C

Table 1:Thermal conductivities of selected materials

Convection
Convection is a heat transfer method motion of a fluid such as water or air when
the heated fluid is caused to move away from the source of heat, carrying energy
with it. Convection above a hot surface occurs because hot air expands,
becomes less dense, and rises (see Ideal Gas Law). Hot water is likewise less
dense than cold water and rises, causing convection currents which transport
energy.