In terms of heat transfer, what does the term “conduction” mean?

Conduction refers to the transfer of heat through a material without any movement of the material itself. This process occurs at the molecular level, where heat energy is passed from one molecule to another through direct contact. For example, when a metal rod is heated at one end, the heat travels along the rod to the cooler end, even though the rod itself does not move.

In this process, the molecules in the hotter section vibrate more vigorously and collide with neighboring molecules, transferring energy through direct contact until thermal equilibrium is reached. This is why materials that are good conductors, such as metals, are often used in applications requiring efficient heat transfer.

Other forms of heat transfer, like convection and radiation, involve the movement of fluids or gases or can occur across a vacuum, which are not applicable to the concept of conduction. Convection, for instance, involves the movement of liquid or gas, while radiation is the transfer of energy through electromagnetic waves. Thus, conduction is distinct in that it solely relies on direct molecular interaction to transfer heat.