What describes conduction as a method of heat transfer?

Conduction is a method of heat transfer that specifically involves the transfer of thermal energy through a solid material. This occurs when heat moves from one molecule to another through direct contact, allowing the energy to be transferred from the hotter part of the solid to the cooler part. This process relies on the kinetic energy of the particles in the solid; as the particles at the hot end vibrate more vigorously, they collide with neighboring particles, transferring energy in the process.

In contrast to other methods of heat transfer, such as convection (which involves heat movement through fluids) and radiation (which involves heat transfer through electromagnetic waves), conduction is exclusively associated with solids where there is direct contact between the heat-exchanging particles. Understanding this distinction is essential in recognizing how heat behaves in different materials and conditions.