how is heat conducted along a piece of metal?

http://www.gcse.com/energy/conduction2.htm

Heat is conducted along a piece of metal through a process called conduction. In this process, heat energy is transferred from one particle to another within the metal.

To understand how heat conduction occurs, let's break it down step by step:

1. The individual particles within the metal, such as atoms or molecules, are constantly in motion. This motion is due to the thermal energy present within the metal.

2. As the metal is heated at one end, the particles near the heat source gain additional energy and vibrate more vigorously. These particles are said to have higher kinetic energy compared to their neighbors.

3. Through collision between particles, the higher-energy particles transfer some of their kinetic energy to the neighboring particles with lower energy.

4. As a result of these collisions, the neighboring particles gain energy and start to vibrate more, passing the energy to the particles adjacent to them.

5. This process continues along the metal, with the energy being transferred from one particle to another, effectively conducting heat along the piece of metal.

The rate at which heat is conducted depends on the specific properties of the metal, such as its thermal conductivity, which determines how easily heat is conducted through it. Metals, such as copper and aluminum, are good conductors of heat, while insulators, like wood or plastic, are poor conductors.

For more detailed information and visual illustrations, you can refer to the link you mentioned (http://www.gcse.com/energy/conduction2.htm). It provides a clear explanation of heat conduction in metals.