Question

In molecules in gases like air, they're much further apart and not joined in a lattice structure as they are in solids, therefore air is an ___________ ___________ conductor of heat.

a) Efficient; Thermal
b) Effective; Conductive
c) Poor; Efficient
d) Excellent; Thermal

Answer 1

Air, due to its gaseous state and the large distances between its molecules, is a poor conductor of heat compared to solids like metals, which have free electrons that can transport thermal energy efficiently. Option c.

Step-by-step explanation:

The gases in air are spread out and not joined in a lattice structure like solids, which means there are fewer particle interactions that facilitate heat conduction.

Because conduction relies heavily on the random motion and collisions between atoms and molecules, the sparsity of particles in a gas makes it an inefficient mechanism for heat transport.

Therefore, air is a poor thermal conductor. In contrast, metals that have a lattice structure and free electrons can efficiently conduct electricity and heat due to the mobility and density of these charge carriers. Option c.