What is conduction?

Conduction refers specifically to the process of heat transfer that occurs through direct contact between materials. In this process, thermal energy is transferred from higher temperature areas to lower temperature areas without any overall movement of the matter itself. This is why option B accurately defines conduction.

When molecules in a material are heated, they vibrate more vigorously and pass on their energy to adjacent, cooler molecules. This transfer continues until thermal equilibrium is reached, but the actual material does not flow from one place to another, distinguishing conduction from other forms of heat transfer like convection or radiation.

Understanding conduction is crucial in various applications, from designing more efficient heat exchangers to insulating buildings, as it helps predict how energy will move within different materials in contact.