Final answer:
A thermal conductor is a material that allows heat transfer, while a thermal insulator does not. Copper and aluminum are good thermal conductors, while plastic and wood are good thermal insulators.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thermal Conductors and Thermal Insulators:
A thermal conductor is a material that allows energy in the form of heat to be transferred within the material without any movement of the material itself. Some examples of good thermal conductors are metals like copper and aluminum. These materials have high thermal conductivity, meaning they can conduct heat efficiently.
On the other hand, a thermal insulator is a material that does not allow heat to pass through it easily. Insulating materials like plastic and wood have low thermal conductivity, which means they are not good conductors of heat and can trap heat instead of letting it escape.
The property that determines whether a material is a thermal conductor or insulator is its thermal conductivity. Materials with high thermal conductivity are good thermal conductors, while materials with low thermal conductivity are good thermal insulators.
Examples:
Thermal Conductors: Copper, Aluminum
Thermal Insulators: Plastic, Wood