Conductivity apparatus

Conductivity Apparatus

Apparatus comprising four metal strips of copper, iron, aluminium and brass mounted on a wooden frame to demonstrate relative thermal conductivity.

FAQs

How do you use this apparatus?

Wax from a burning candle is placed into the recesses at the ends of the metal strips, with a marble or ball bearing embedded before the wax solidifies. The apparatus is then inverted so the marbles are underneath, placed on a tripod, and the centre where the strips meet is heated gently using a low Bunsen burner flame. As the wax melts, the marbles fall at different times, demonstrating differences in thermal conductivity.

The apparatus can be reused without adding more wax by turning it back over, reheating the centre, and replacing the marbles. Wax remaining on the marbles will remelt and hold them in place for reuse.

An alternative method is to use Vaseline in place of wax, with drawing pins pressed gently into it flat side down. When inverted and heated, the drawing pins fall off at different rates as the Vaseline softens.

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