How is heat transferred in nonmetals?

There are three modes of heat transfer: 1. Conduction: Mode of heat transfer between high energy particle and low energy particle. It takes place in stationary mediums. read more

In case of metals the heat is transferred by first mechanism as there are free electrons available which can transfer the energy, Hence most of the metals are good conductors of heat. In case of Nonmetals these free electrons are not available. Hence most of the non metals are bad conductors of heat. But there are few Non-Metals which can conduct heat by second mechanism mentioned above(e.g.Diamond). All substances cannot conduct heat by lattice vibrations. read more

Conductivity: Heat transfer occurs at a lower rate across materials of low thermal conductivity than across materials of high thermal conductivity. Correspondingly, materials of high thermal conductivity are widely used in heat sink applications and materials of low thermal conductivity are used as thermal insulation . read more

Every atom is physically bonded to its neighbours in some way. If heat energy is supplied to one part of a solid, the atoms vibrate faster. As they vibrate more, the bonds between atoms are shaken more. This passes vibrations on to the next atom, and so on: Eventually the energy spreads throughout the solid. The overall temperature has increased. read more