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Science Quiz - Thermal Insulators and Conductors (Questions)

Heat moves through some materials more easily than others. In KS2 Science, pupils explore thermal conductors, insulators, and how we use them in everyday life.

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Fascinating Fact:

Silver is the best thermal conductor of all metals, even better than copper, though it is rarely used because it is expensive.

In KS2 Science, learning about thermal insulators and conductors helps pupils understand how heat transfers. Metals usually conduct heat well, while materials like wood or plastic act as insulators.

Key Terms

Thermal Conductor: A material that allows heat to pass through it quickly, such as metals.
Thermal Insulator: A material that slows down heat transfer, like wool, plastic, or air.
Heat Transfer: The movement of heat energy from a warmer object to a cooler one.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the difference between a conductor and an insulator?

A conductor allows heat or electricity to pass through easily, while an insulator resists this flow and keeps energy contained.

Why are cooking pans made of metal but have plastic handles?

Cooking pans are made of metal because metals conduct heat well for cooking. Plastic handles are used because they insulate against heat, keeping hands safe.

What are some examples of thermal insulators?

Examples of thermal insulators include wool, rubber, plastic, wood, and even trapped air, all of which slow down the transfer of heat.

Try These Related Quizzes

1.

What do we call a material which can transfer heat easily?

[ ]	A thermal insulator
[ ]	A thermal conductor
[ ]	An electrical insulator
[ ]	An electrical conductor

2.

What do we call a material which does not allow heat to transfer easily?

[ ]	A thermal insulator
[ ]	A thermal conductor
[ ]	An electrical insulator
[ ]	An electrical conductor

3.

Why should oven gloves be made from materials which are good thermal insulators?

[ ]	Oven gloves made from good thermal insulators will be more comfortable
[ ]	Oven gloves made from good thermal insulators will keep the food hot
[ ]	Oven gloves made from good thermal insulators will protect hands from being burned
[ ]	Good thermal insulators will keep the oven hot

4.

Which of these materials is a better thermal conductor than the others?

[ ]	Brick
[ ]	Aluminium
[ ]	Wood
[ ]	Paper

5.

Which of these materials would be a better thermal insulator than the others?

[ ]	Gold
[ ]	Steel
[ ]	Copper
[ ]	Wool

6.

Why do stainless steel pots often have wooden handles?

[ ]	Wood is a good thermal conductor
[ ]	Wood is a good thermal insulator
[ ]	Wood is a good electrical insulator
[ ]	It is not possible to make handles out of steel

7.

If you put frozen ice cream into a metal bowl, what would happen?

[ ]	Warmth would travel from the bowl to the ice cream
[ ]	Warmth would travel from the ice cream to the bowl
[ ]	Cold would travel from the bowl to the ice cream
[ ]	Cold would travel from the ice cream to the bowl

8.

Which of the following would best protect ice cream from melting?

[ ]	A metal bowl with a lid
[ ]	A plastic cup
[ ]	An ice cream cone
[ ]	A vacuum flask

9.

Plastic is a good thermal insulator. Where would you see plastic used?

[ ]	For the base (bottom) of a frying pan
[ ]	For the inside of a cooker
[ ]	For the handle of an electric kettle
[ ]	For the base of an iron

10.

What would be a disadvantage of stirring a boiling pot with a metal spoon?

[ ]	Cold would travel from your hand to the boiling pot
[ ]	Heat would travel from the boiling pot to your hand
[ ]	Metal spoons don't make enough noise while you're stirring
[ ]	Metal spoons don't stir very well

Science Quiz - Thermal Insulators and Conductors (Answers)

1.

What do we call a material which can transfer heat easily?

[ ]	A thermal insulator
[x]	A thermal conductor
[ ]	An electrical insulator
[ ]	An electrical conductor

'Thermal' means to do with heat

2.

What do we call a material which does not allow heat to transfer easily?

[x]	A thermal insulator
[ ]	A thermal conductor
[ ]	An electrical insulator
[ ]	An electrical conductor

Conductors and insulators are opposites to one another

3.

Why should oven gloves be made from materials which are good thermal insulators?

[ ]	Oven gloves made from good thermal insulators will be more comfortable
[ ]	Oven gloves made from good thermal insulators will keep the food hot
[x]	Oven gloves made from good thermal insulators will protect hands from being burned
[ ]	Good thermal insulators will keep the oven hot

Oven gloves protect our hands when we hold hot things

4.

Which of these materials is a better thermal conductor than the others?

[ ]	Brick
[x]	Aluminium
[ ]	Wood
[ ]	Paper

Metals conduct heat very well

5.

Which of these materials would be a better thermal insulator than the others?

[ ]	Gold
[ ]	Steel
[ ]	Copper
[x]	Wool

Gold, copper and steel are all metals and would make very poor thermal insulators

6.

Why do stainless steel pots often have wooden handles?

[ ]	Wood is a good thermal conductor
[x]	Wood is a good thermal insulator
[ ]	Wood is a good electrical insulator
[ ]	It is not possible to make handles out of steel

Because it is an excellent thermal insulator, wooden handles will not burn your hands even when the pot is hot

7.

If you put frozen ice cream into a metal bowl, what would happen?

[x]	Warmth would travel from the bowl to the ice cream
[ ]	Warmth would travel from the ice cream to the bowl
[ ]	Cold would travel from the bowl to the ice cream
[ ]	Cold would travel from the ice cream to the bowl

Cold cannot transfer, or travel, from one material to another. Only heat can be transferred. Heat moves from warmer materials to cooler materials - when you go outside on a frosty day, heat is transferred from your warm face to the cold air!

8.

Which of the following would best protect ice cream from melting?

[ ]	A metal bowl with a lid
[ ]	A plastic cup
[ ]	An ice cream cone
[x]	A vacuum flask

Vacuum flasks are excellent thermal insulators - they can keep coffee piping hot. A material which can keep hot things hot can also keep cold things cold

9.

Plastic is a good thermal insulator. Where would you see plastic used?

[ ]	For the base (bottom) of a frying pan
[ ]	For the inside of a cooker
[x]	For the handle of an electric kettle
[ ]	For the base of an iron

Plastic would melt if it got too hot so it would be no good inside a cooker or on the bottom of a pan

10.

What would be a disadvantage of stirring a boiling pot with a metal spoon?

[ ]	Cold would travel from your hand to the boiling pot
[x]	Heat would travel from the boiling pot to your hand
[ ]	Metal spoons don't make enough noise while you're stirring
[ ]	Metal spoons don't stir very well

Metal spoons can get very hot, especially when they've been left in the pot for a while!