Thermal conductivity is the property of a material to conduct heat. Among the given options, solid ice has the highest thermal conductivity.
Thermal conductivity comparison:
- Solid ice has a crystalline structure which allows better heat transfer through lattice vibrations (phonons).
- Water (liquid state) and steam (gaseous state) have disordered molecules, reducing thermal conductivity.
- Melting ice is in transition and generally conducts less effectively due to the presence of phase change.
Thus, solid ice conducts heat better than its liquid or gaseous forms.