Which arrangement has materials from the highest thermal conductivity to the lowest?

The arrangement of materials from the highest thermal conductivity to the lowest is accurately represented by Pure Gold, Amalgam, Composite, and Enamel.

Pure gold is known for its exceptional thermal conductivity, making it the most conductive material in this comparison. It has a high electron mobility that facilitates the efficient transfer of heat. This property is often leveraged in dental applications where heat dissipation is crucial.

Following pure gold, amalgam is a composite of metals with decent thermal conductivity, typically better than many restorative materials, though not as high as gold. Amalgam is widely used in dentistry due to its strength and durability.

Composite materials generally have thermal conductivities that are lower than that of amalgam because they are primarily based on resin and filler particles, not metals. This lowers their ability to conduct heat compared to metal-based materials.

Enamel has the lowest thermal conductivity among these materials. Though it has some insulating properties, enamel is primarily composed of hydroxyapatite, which does not conduct heat as efficiently as metals.

This ranking emphasizes the role thermal conductivity plays in material selection and performance in dental applications, with higher conductivity materials commonly preferred for specific uses that require efficient thermal management.