Answer:
Conduction
Explanation:
Heat always flows from warmer to colder areas. The transfer of heat energy through a solid material is known as conduction.
Heat can be transferred in three ways:
- Conduction - the transfer of energy from one molecule to another by direct contact. This transfer occurs when molecules hit against each other, similar to a game of pool where one moving ball strikes another, causing the second to move. Conduction takes place in solids, liquids, and gases, but works best in materials that have simple molecules that are located close to each other. For example, metal is a better conductor than wood or plastic.
- Convection - the movement of heat by a fluid such as water or air. The fluid (liquid or gas) moves from one location to another, transferring heat along with it. This movement of a mass of heated water or air is called a current.
- Radiation - the transfer of heat by electromagnetic waves. When you stand in the sun, you are warmed by the electromagnetic waves, mainly infrared radiation (and to a lesser extent, visible light), that travels from the sun to Earth. In addition to the sun, light bulbs, irons, and toasters also transfer heat via radiation. Note that, unlike conduction or convection, heat transfer by radiation does not need any matter to help with the transfer.
