A copper rod (a metal) and a glass rod (an insulator) are both heated at one end. Which mechanism of thermal energy transfer is primarily responsible for the much higher rate of heat conduction in the copper rod compared to the glass rod?
Bulk movement of atoms from the hot end to the cold end
Diffusion of free (delocalised) electrons
Vibration of the lattice structures
Internal emission of infrared 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.