Lämpöjohtamat

Lämpöjohtamat is a Finnish term that translates to thermal conductivity in English. It is a fundamental material property that describes a substance's ability to conduct heat. Specifically, thermal conductivity quantifies the rate at which heat is transferred through a material when there is a temperature difference across it.

The SI unit for thermal conductivity is watts per meter-kelvin (W/(m·K)). A high thermal conductivity value indicates that the material is a good conductor of heat, meaning heat can easily pass through it. Conversely, a low thermal conductivity value signifies that the material is a poor conductor of heat, acting as an insulator.

Factors influencing thermal conductivity include the material's composition, its physical state (solid, liquid, or gas), temperature, and density. Metals, for example, generally have high thermal conductivity due to the presence of free electrons that can efficiently transfer thermal energy. Insulators like wood, plastics, and air have low thermal conductivity and are used to prevent heat transfer. Understanding thermal conductivity is crucial in various engineering applications, such as designing buildings, engines, and electronic devices to manage heat effectively.