The photograph below shows a setup for comparison of the heat conductivity of three different metals.
The gas burner heats the central ring of the apparatus. The heat energy is then transferred along each of the three arms until it reaches the end, at which point it melts the wax where the wax blocks are stuck onto the arms and the wax block falls off.
The three arms are made of brass (left), copper (center), and aluminum (right).
In what order (quickest to slowest) will the wax blocks fall off their respective rods?
Click here for Answer #147 after April 14, 2003.
