The temperature of an object can be measured using a thermometer - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 7 - 2018

The temperature of an object refers to the degree of hotness or coldness of that object. It essentially measures the average kinetic energy of the particles within the object, indicating how quickly they are moving.

The standard unit of temperature in the SI scale is Kelvin (K). Additionally, temperature can also be expressed in degrees Celsius (°C) or degrees Fahrenheit (°F), depending on the context.

To convert 20 °C into Kelvin, you can use the formula: $K = °C + 273$ Thus, $K = 20 + 273 = 293 \, K$.

The method by which heat is transferred in metals is conduction. In this process, vibrating atoms pass on their energy to adjacent atoms, leading to heat transfer.

The two other methods of heat transfer are:

1. Convection - the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids and gases).
2. Radiation - the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves.

This experiment can be used to determine which metal conducts heat best by observing the pin in the apparatus. The pin that falls first indicates the metal that is the best conductor of heat.

Two ways to ensure the investigation is fair include:

1. Keeping the temperature of the hot water constant throughout the experiment to ensure that all metals are tested under the same conditions.
2. Using equal lengths and thicknesses of each metal sample to ensure that the results are not influenced by size variations.

A good insulator is materials like rubber, plastic, or wood. These materials restrict the flow of heat energy, making them effective for insulation.