Identify which of the following substances is most likely to be a good conductor of heat.

To determine which substance among given options is a good conductor of heat, we can analyze the general properties of materials. Typically, metals are known for their high thermal conductivity due to the presence of free electrons that can transfer thermal energy efficiently. Here’s a common framework for identifying good thermal conductors:

1. Substance Type

• Metals (like copper, aluminum, gold, silver) are typically good conductors of heat.
• Non-metals (like rubber, wood, and plastic) are generally poor conductors and are instead insulators.
• Some liquids and gases can conduct heat, but usually, they are not as effective as metals.

2. Thermal Conductivity Values

• The thermal conductivity of materials is measured in watts per meter per Kelvin (W/m·K).
• Higher values indicate better thermal conductors. For example, copper has a thermal conductivity of approximately 400 W/m·K, while wood might have around 0.1-0.2 W/m·K.

3. Common Examples

• If the options include metals, the one with the highest thermal conductivity will be the best conductor.
• Carbon in the form of graphite can also conduct heat well but is generally less effective than metals.

Conclusion

From the above analysis, you can confidently state that if any of the options include a metal such as copper or aluminum, it will be the best conductor of heat among the listed substances. Non-metal options like wood or rubber would be poor choices for heat conduction.