Question

1. complete the summary table to contrast thermal conductors and thermal insulators.

Explanation:

• Definition: Thermal conductors are materials that allow heat to transfer through them easily. Thermal insulators are materials that resist the transfer of heat.
• Particle Arrangement: In thermal conductors, particles are closely packed and can vibrate and transfer energy efficiently. In thermal insulators, particles are more loosely arranged (in gases, they are far apart; in some solids like fiberglass, there are air - pockets and a less dense particle structure that hinders heat transfer).
• Density: Thermal conductors generally have a higher density (e.g., metals like copper have a high atomic density). Thermal insulators have a lower density (e.g., air has a very low density, and materials like Styrofoam which traps air have a relatively low overall density).
• One Example: A common thermal conductor is copper. A common thermal insulator is air (or materials like fiberglass which trap air).

Answer:

Property	Thermal Conductors	Thermal Insulators
Particle Arrangement	Closely - packed particles (for solids) that can transfer vibrational energy well	Loosely - arranged particles (e.g., in gases, far - apart; in some solids, with air - pockets)
Density	Generally higher density	Generally lower density
One Example	Copper	Air (or fiberglass)