Relationship Between Thermal Conductivity and Free Electrons in Metal
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Tianbao Xie
Subject Area
Physics/Applied Physics
Description
An experiment was designed and conducted to explore the relationship between thermal conductivity with free electrons in metal. In the experiment, copper, iron, aluminum, and titanium rods with close diameters were used to carry out the experiment. Each rod was heated up by a heat unit at one end while cooled on the other end with a heat sink to maintain a steady state. DC current was applied to rods in the direction along, as well as against, the heat flow. Thermal conductivities were measured in these two situations for each rod. Results showed electrons do dominate thermal flow inside metal.
Recommended Citation
Liu, Harry and Xie, Tianbao, "Relationship Between Thermal Conductivity and Free Electrons in Metal" (2021). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 44.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2021/all/44
Relationship Between Thermal Conductivity and Free Electrons in Metal
An experiment was designed and conducted to explore the relationship between thermal conductivity with free electrons in metal. In the experiment, copper, iron, aluminum, and titanium rods with close diameters were used to carry out the experiment. Each rod was heated up by a heat unit at one end while cooled on the other end with a heat sink to maintain a steady state. DC current was applied to rods in the direction along, as well as against, the heat flow. Thermal conductivities were measured in these two situations for each rod. Results showed electrons do dominate thermal flow inside metal.
