Final answer:
Good conductors of heat include silver, copper, gold, and aluminum, which are efficient due to many free electrons. Poor conductors, such as wood, plastic, rubber, and Styrofoam, have fewer free-moving electrons and, therefore, transfer heat less efficiently.
Step-by-step explanation:
Four materials that are commonly known as good conductors of heat are:
These metals are highly efficient at conducting heat due to the presence of numerous free electrons that are able to move easily and transfer thermal energy.
On the other hand, materials that are considered poor conductors of heat, often called insulators, include:
- Wood
- Plastic
- Rubber
- Styrofoam
These materials lack free-moving electrons, making them less capable of transferring heat efficiently. Cooking utensils, for example, are made of good conductors, but their handles are composed of poor conductors to prevent burns when touched.