Page 29 - Curriculum Visions Dynamic Book

alloy: a mixture of a metal and various other elements.
density: the mass per unit volume (e.g. g/cc).
A heat conductor
Like all metals, aluminium conducts heat and so can be used either to carry heat away from a hot object or to bring heat to a cold object.
Aluminium is very much more expensive than steel, but where light weight is important, such as in aircraft, car or motorbike engines, aluminium is often the preferred choice.
It is nearly twice as good a conductor, weight for weight, as copper, and about nine times as good as steel.
Because aluminium can be cast into detailed shapes and is easy to cut, it is sometimes used for the whole of the main engine part (known as the engine block). It is also used in the radiators of most engines. Aluminium used to conduct heat can easily be seen in motorbike engines, where the cooling fins show clearly.
 Aluminium is widely used for cooking utensils because of its good heat conductivity and light weight.
 Aluminium is used to carry heat away from sensitive electrical components
on a circuit. The heating fins are light weight and so do not damage the board (as heavy steel might).
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