Heat Transfer Animation: Two Solid Blocks in Contact

Metals have a significantly higher thermal diffusivity than wood, meaning heat diffuses through them much more quickly. This is because metals have high thermal conductivity and a lower volumetric heat capacity compared to wood, allowing for faster heat transfer and greater temperature changes when heated.  

Why Metals Diffuse Heat Faster

• High Thermal Conductivity:
  Metals are excellent conductors of heat, transferring heat energy rapidly through their structure. 

• Lower Volumetric Heat Capacity:
  The volumetric heat capacity of a material indicates how much heat it takes to change its temperature. Metals generally have a lower volumetric heat capacity, allowing them to heat up or cool down faster than wood. 

• Density:
  Metals also tend to have lower densities, which contributes to their higher thermal diffusivity values compared to wood. 

Why Wood Diffuses Heat Slowly

• Poor Thermal Conductivity:
  Wood is a poor conductor of heat. The structure of wood contains air pockets and is less dense, hindering the rapid movement of heat. 

• High Volumetric Heat Capacity:
  Wood requires a greater amount of energy to increase its temperature compared to metals. 

• Porosity and Moisture:
  The presence of porosity, air gaps, and moisture in wood further slows down heat diffusion. 

In Summary

When you touch a metal object, it feels cold because it quickly draws heat away from your skin, leading to a rapid temperature change that your skin interprets as cold. A piece of wood, in contrast, transfers heat much more slowly, so your skin doesn't experience a significant temperature drop and it doesn't feel as cold.