Question

The unit of thermal conductivity is

• A. W/k
• B. W/mK
• C. W/m\(^2\)K
• D. W/m

Hint:

W/mK = watts per meter per Kelvin, essential in heat conduction analysis.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Thermal conductivity is a measure of a material's ability to conduct heat. In the International System of Units (SI), the unit of thermal conductivity is expressed as Watts per meter per Kelvin, represented as W/mK. This unit describes the heat transfer rate through a material with a temperature gradient of one Kelvin per meter.

Let's analyze the given options to identify the correct unit:

Option 1	W/k	Incorrect. This lacks the length component necessary for measuring conductivity over a distance.
Option 2	W/mK	Correct. This includes all necessary components: heat (W), length (m), and temperature (K).
Option 3	W/m2K	Incorrect. This unit represents heat transfer per unit area and temperature, often used for heat flux, not conductivity.
Option 4	W/m	Incorrect. This lacks the temperature component necessary for specifying thermal conductivity.

Therefore, the correct unit of thermal conductivity is W/mK.