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thermal insulator
A material that does not conduct heat well, i.e. has a relatively low thermal conductivity. Plastics, wood, cork, and some fabrics are good thermal insulators. The reason is that they contain weak molecular bonds in disorderly arrangements. Heat is transfered in a material by the vibration of the atoms and molecules. A disorderly arrangement of particles and bonds slows down the passage of heat through the material. Compare with thermal conductor.
Related category
• HEAT AND THERMODYNAMICS
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