What is 'thermal conductivity' a measure of?

Thermal conductivity is a specific measurement that indicates the ability of a material to conduct heat. High thermal conductivity means that a material can easily transfer heat, making it an effective heat conductor, while low thermal conductivity means the material resists heat flow. The concept is important in applications where heat transfer is critical, such as in building materials, heat exchangers, and electronic devices.

Understanding thermal conductivity is essential for engineers and designers as it helps in selecting materials for specific functions, determining how materials will behave under various temperature conditions, and ensuring systems are efficient regarding heat management. This measurement is quantified in units such as watts per meter-kelvin (W/m·K), allowing for precise calculations in engineering applications.