The heat transfer equation is Rate = kA(T1 - T2)/d where k is the heat transfer coefficient of the material.
But I'm feeling that the other material transferring the heat should be important too. I mean if I were to touch Styrofoam at 50 degrees and metal at 50 degrees, the metal feels hotter. But if i were to use the heat transfer equation, the coefficient would just be of my hand. So in both cases they would be the same? But we know that the metal feels hotter so doesn't the equation fail here? Or is it because for the heat transfer equation they must be of the same material? If so, for this case how do we calculate the heat transfer?
Also, does internal energy affect the conductive ability? Say 2 substances with the same conductivity A and B. A has a higher specific heat capacity. So after heating it from the left side of the material for a while, comparing any point B will be hotter. So any atom would have more KE compared to A. So with more KE, the conductivity goes up?
But the problem is that even though comparing each particle at the same distance from the heat source, the atom at B would have more KE. So that would mean that the particle on the right would also have more KE. In other words using the heat transfer equation, the temperature difference from one side of the material to the other might not be greater than for material A. So how can we tell if the conductivity of the material goes up?
But I'm feeling that the other material transferring the heat should be important too. I mean if I were to touch Styrofoam at 50 degrees and metal at 50 degrees, the metal feels hotter. But if i were to use the heat transfer equation, the coefficient would just be of my hand. So in both cases they would be the same? But we know that the metal feels hotter so doesn't the equation fail here? Or is it because for the heat transfer equation they must be of the same material? If so, for this case how do we calculate the heat transfer?
Also, does internal energy affect the conductive ability? Say 2 substances with the same conductivity A and B. A has a higher specific heat capacity. So after heating it from the left side of the material for a while, comparing any point B will be hotter. So any atom would have more KE compared to A. So with more KE, the conductivity goes up?
But the problem is that even though comparing each particle at the same distance from the heat source, the atom at B would have more KE. So that would mean that the particle on the right would also have more KE. In other words using the heat transfer equation, the temperature difference from one side of the material to the other might not be greater than for material A. So how can we tell if the conductivity of the material goes up?