What material changes temperature fast?

Main Question or Discussion Point

What sort of materials or elements heat up really fast but also cool down fast as well?

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Chestermiller
Mentor
Materials with high thermal diffusivity: thermal conductivity divided by (density x heat capacity).

@Chestermiller is correct. I was incomplete in my answer.

Just to clarify: a low heat capacity means you only need a little heat to increase the temperature [say by 1 Kelvin], and a high thermal conductivity means that this heat is 'absorbed' by the material fast.

@Chestermiller is correct. I was incomplete in my answer.

Just to clarify: a low heat capacity means you only need a little heat to increase the temperature [say by 1 Kelvin], and a high thermal conductivity means that this heat is 'absorbed' by the material fast.

Chestermiller
Mentor
Same, of course.

Wiki says: Diamond is renowned for its superlative properties ........... In particular, it has the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any bulk material.

Chestermiller
Mentor
Wiki says: Diamond is renowned for its superlative properties ........... In particular, it has the highest hardness and thermal conductivity of any bulk material.
What about its thermal diffusivity? How does that compare?

Baluncore