Mechanics > Properties of Matter > Crystal Structure DCS# 1R50.20

THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY OF DIAMOND


APPARATUS
cubic zirconia ring
202-16-C3
diamond ring
borrow
ice cubes
108A-refrigerator
thermos
214-01-C5


DESCRIPTION

Compare the thermal conductivities of diamond and cubic zirconia by pressing them against an ice cube.  The diamond will conduct the heat from your hand better and melt farther into the ice than the cubic zirconia.

Cubic zirconia is an insulator (k = ~0.05 W/m-K), whereas diamond has one of the largest thermal conductivities of any material (500-2500 W/m-K).

NOTES


A quicktime movie of a similar demonstration can be found on the JCE Chemistry Comes Alive website:
http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/jcesoft/cca/CCA2/MAIN/DIAMOND2/CD2R1.HTM