What is measured by thermal conductivity?

Thermal conductivity measures the ability of a material to conduct heat. This property is crucial in various applications where the transfer of thermal energy is necessary, such as in heating and cooling systems, thermal insulation design, and materials selection for electronics. When a temperature difference exists across a material, thermal conductivity quantifies how efficiently heat energy moves through that material. A material with high thermal conductivity allows heat to pass through easily, while a material with low thermal conductivity acts as a better insulator. Understanding thermal conductivity is essential in fields such as engineering, construction, and materials science, as it helps in assessing how different materials will perform in thermal applications.