Unlike non-metal solids, metals are exceptionally good conductors of thermal energy.
Which statement correctly describes the difference in the mechanisms of thermal conduction between metals and non-metals?
Non-metals conduct thermal energy primarily through free electron transfer, whereas metals rely only on lattice vibrations.
Metals conduct thermal energy through both free electron transfer and lattice vibrations, whereas non-metals conduct primarily through lattice vibrations.
Both metals and non-metals conduct thermal energy by free electron transfer only.
Metals conduct thermal energy by lattice vibrations only, while non-metals conduct by both electron transfer and lattice vibrations.
301 exam-style questions on CIE IGCSE Physics 2.3 Transfer of thermal energy, covering 2.3.1a Thermal conductors and thermal insulators, 2.3.1b Explaining thermal conduction, 2.3.2 Convection, 2.3.3a Thermal radiation, 2.3.3b Surface colour and texture, 2.3.3c Rate of emission and absorption of radiation, and 2.3.4 Consequences of thermal energy transfer. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.