Conduction

-Metals conduct energy better than non-metals 

-Copper is a better conductor than steel 

-Wood conducts better than glass 

-Metals contain free electrons. These electrons move about at random inside the metal and hold the positive metal ions together. They collide with each other and with positive ions 

-When a metal rod is heated at one end, the free electrons at the hot end gain kinetic energy and move faster 

-These electrons diffuse and collide with other free electrons and ions in the cooler parts of the metal 

- As a result, they transfer kinetic energy to these electrons and ions 

- In a non-metallic solid, all the electrons are held in by atoms. Energy transfer only takes place because the atoms vibrate and shake each other. This is much less effective than energy transfer by free electrons. This is why metals are better conductors