How is heat transferred in conduction?

Heat transfer through conduction occurs via direct contact between materials. When two objects at different temperatures come into contact, thermal energy moves from the hotter object to the cooler one until they reach thermal equilibrium. This process relies on the collision of particles within the materials; as faster-moving (hotter) particles collide with slower-moving (cooler) particles, energy is transferred between them.

For example, if you place a metal spoon into a hot pot of soup, the heat from the soup is conducted to the spoon through direct contact. The efficiency of conduction depends on the materials involved; metals are typically better conductors than insulators like wood or plastic. The other options refer to different mechanisms of heat transfer: movement of air or water corresponds to convection, while the emission, transmission, or absorption of energy relates to radiation.