Question

Which is a better heat conductor, diamond or silver?

Short answer

Answer: Diamond is a better heat conductor than silver.

Step-by-step solution

Define thermal conductivity

Thermal conductivity is a property of a material that describes its ability to conduct heat. It is usually denoted by the symbol \(k\) and is measured in units of watts per meter-kelvin (W/mK). A higher value of \(k\) indicates that the material is a better heat conductor.

Find the thermal conductivity of diamond

The thermal conductivity value of diamond varies depending on its purity and structure. However, for a standard natural diamond, the thermal conductivity is approximately \(k_{diamond} = 2300 \ \text{W/mK}\).

Find the thermal conductivity of silver

Silver is a highly conductive metal and has one of the highest thermal conductivity values among metals. The thermal conductivity of silver is approximately \(k_{silver} = 429 \ \text{W/mK}\).

Compare thermal conductivity values

Now we have the thermal conductivity values for both diamond and silver, we can compare them: - Diamond: \(k_{diamond} = 2300 \ \text{W/mK}\) - Silver: \(k_{silver} = 429 \ \text{W/mK}\) Since \(k_{diamond} > k_{silver}\), diamond has a higher thermal conductivity.

Conclusion

Based on the comparison of their thermal conductivity values, diamond is a better heat conductor than silver.