A student places a plastic rod and a copper rod of identical dimensions into a container of hot water. After a short time, the end of the copper rod not in the water feels much hotter than the corresponding end of the plastic rod.
Which statement describes why the end of the copper rod gets hot much faster?
Copper is a good thermal conductor.
Plastic is a good thermal conductor.
Copper is a good thermal insulator.
Plastic is a poor emitter of infra-red radiation.
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.