Question

Question: Good conductors of electricity, such as metals, are typically good conductors of heat; insulators, such as wood, are typically poor conductors of heat. Explain why there is a relationship between conduction of electricity and conduction of heat in these materials.

Short answer

Answer

Electron motion is what causes the conduction of electricity and this very motion is affected by the application of heat. That is why there is direct influence of heat over the conduction electrons

Step-by-step solution

Concept of Conductors and Insulators. 

Conductors are the class of materials in which there is a high abundance of free electrons that can move without any hindrance n their surface. Example, metals.

Insulators are the class of materials where electrons are tightly bound to their shells and are unable to move freely which makes them poor conductors of heat and electricity. Example, glass.

Explanation of the relation between conduction of electricity and conduction of heat.

Free electrons are responsible for conducting electricity in a metal. Their drifting movement in one direction is what causing the flow of current. Their motion is greatly affected by heat, as they move more fast when heat energy is applied that causes them to conduct heat also swiftly. So, metals having an abundance of such free electrons are good conductors of both heat and electricity.

Insulators like glass, on the other hand are having very less free electrons. So, they cannot conduct electricity. In order to heat insulators, the entire combination of atoms that are present has to be heated as a whole system which takes time and is therefore not a sign of good conductor of heat.