heat sink

A heat sink is a substance or device that absorbs or dissipates unwanted heat, often from electronic devices. This process relies on the principle of thermal conduction, which is the transfer of heat energy between adjacent parts of a body due to temperature differences.12

Materials with high thermal conductivity are good at transferring heat, while those with low conductivity act as insulators. For example, copper is a good conductor, while wood is a poor conductor. Heat flows from areas of higher temperature to areas of lower temperature until thermal equilibrium is reached. This is why frying pan handles are often made of materials that are poor conductors of heat to prevent burns.23