What is conduction?

Conduction is the process of transferring energy through matter by collisions between particles. This occurs when heat is applied to a material, causing its particles to vibrate. The kinetic energy from the vibrating particles spreads to neighboring particles through direct contact, effectively transferring heat from one part of the material to another without any bulk movement of the material itself. This is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics, particularly when discussing how heat travels through solids.

In the context of conduction, the other responses involve different methods of energy transfer, such as radiation, which involves the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, or conduction involving electrical current. While these processes are significant in their own right, they do not describe conduction as it specifically pertains to heat transfer through direct contact and particle collision within a medium.