Conductometer

This conductometer is a physics apparatus for comparing the thermal conductivity of different metals. It has metal spokes (aluminium, brass, iron, nickel and copper) radiating from a central hub, so students can see which metal conducts heat fastest.

Thermal Conductivity of Metals

• Objective: To compare how quickly heat travels through different metals.
• Procedure:
  1. Place a small piece of wax or a match head in the indentation at the end of each spoke.
  2. Hold the central hub over a Bunsen burner flame.
  3. Watch the order in which the wax melts or the match heads ignite.
• Typical result: Copper usually conducts heat the fastest, followed by aluminium, brass and iron.

Not to Be Confused With

In chemistry, the word "conductometer" is also used for a conductivity meter, which measures how well a solution conducts electricity (for example testing tap water, distilled water, vinegar or salt solutions, or following a conductometric titration). This product is the physics version for heat conduction, not an electrical conductivity meter.