Thermal Resistance
Reference from the original Physics I textbook.
- Thermal Resistance
A measurement of a materials ability to resist heat transfer.
- Related Glossary Terms
Conduction Rate Equation, Conduction Rate with Steady-State Equation, Steady-State, Thermal Conductivityⓘ, Thermal Resistance Equation
- Index
Glossary and deeper reading · 1 refreshers
These editorial refreshers supplement the reading. Definitions and examples are added guidance; original source wording and recorded answers remain in their original context.
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Thermal conductivity
Thermal conductivity measures how readily a material conducts energy through a temperature gradient. It is a material property with units watts per meter per kelvin, distinct from the sample’s heat capacity or thickness. For example, a metal and an insulating foam slab of the same dimensions can have very different conduction rates.