Are a substance's electrical and heat conductivity related?

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SUMMARY

The discussion confirms that electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity are related, particularly in solids, where good electrical conductors also tend to be good thermal conductors. However, exceptions exist, such as diamond, which is an electrical insulator yet possesses high thermal conductivity. The mechanisms of thermal conduction involve both electrons and atoms, while electrical conduction is solely dependent on electrons. This distinction highlights the complexity of conductivity properties in different states of matter.

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  • Understanding of electrical conductivity principles
  • Knowledge of thermal conductivity mechanisms
  • Familiarity with solid-state physics
  • Basic concepts of electron behavior in materials
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  • Research the properties of diamond as a thermal conductor and electrical insulator
  • Explore the mechanisms of thermal conduction in solids versus liquids
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Material scientists, physicists, and engineers interested in the properties of conductive materials and their applications in technology.

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For example can an object be very conductive to electricity but be a very poor conductor of heat and vise-versa, or is a good conductor of one always a good conductor of the other and a bad conductor of one always a bad conductor of both?
If they are related, then how and why are they connected?
If they are not related, then what differences allow the two properties to be independent of one another?
 
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In solids, they are closely related. In liquids it is more complicated.

Thermal conduction happens both via electrons and atoms, while electrical conduction is limited to electrons. Every good electrical conductor will also conduct heat, but there are some electrical insulators that still have a good thermal conductivity, like diamond.
As usual, Wikipedia has a list.
 

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