Heat conduction refers to which type of heat transfer?

Heat conduction specifically refers to the transfer of heat through solid materials. This process occurs at the molecular level, where faster-moving (hotter) molecules collide with adjacent slower-moving (cooler) molecules, transferring energy in the form of heat. The efficiency of heat conduction depends on the material's properties, such as its thermal conductivity. Metals, for instance, are good conductors of heat, while materials like wood or plastic are poor conductors.

In contrast, heat transfer through fluids is categorized as convection, and heat transfer via radiation involves the transfer of energy as electromagnetic waves. Latent heat transfer relates to the energy absorbed or released during phase changes, such as from solid to liquid or liquid to gas, without a change in temperature. Understanding these different modes of heat transfer is crucial for applications in thermodynamics, engineering, and various industrial processes.