Leitungsfähigkeit

Leitungsfähigkeit, often translated as conductivity, is a fundamental property of materials that describes their ability to conduct electric current or heat. In the context of electrical conductivity, it quantifies how easily electric charge can flow through a material. Materials with high electrical conductivity, such as metals like copper and silver, offer little resistance to the movement of electrons. Conversely, insulators, like rubber and glass, have very low electrical conductivity, impeding the flow of charge. The reciprocal of conductivity is resistivity, which measures a material's opposition to electrical current.

Thermal conductivity, on the other hand, measures a material's ability to transfer heat energy. Good thermal conductors, like aluminum and iron, efficiently transfer heat, making them useful in applications such as heat sinks and cookware. Poor thermal conductors, or thermal insulators, such as Styrofoam and wool, resist heat transfer and are used for insulation in buildings and clothing. Both electrical and thermal conductivity are influenced by factors like temperature, material structure, and the presence of impurities. Understanding leitungsfähigkeit is crucial for designing and selecting materials for a wide range of technological and everyday applications.