Question

On a cold morning, a metal surface will feel colder to touch than a wooden surface, because of ___________

(a) Metal has high specific heat

(b) Metal has high thermal conductivity

(c) Metal has low specific heat

(d) Metal has low thermal conductivity

This question was addressed to me by my school teacher while I was bunking the class.

Asked question is from Thermal Conduction in division Mechanical Properties of Solids of Engineering Physics I

Answer 1

The correct option is (b) Metal has high thermal conductivity

To elaborate: Due to the higher thermal conductivity of metal than wood, heat begins to flow readily from our body to the metal surface and so we feel colder.