What is conduction?

Answer 1

There are two kinds of conduction: thermal conduction and electrical conduction.

1. In thermal conduction, thermal energy (heat) transfers through a substance from a hotter region toward a cooler region. For example, when you dip a metal spoon into a cup of tea, the heat from the hot tea will conduct along the spoon so that the handle becomes warm, even though the handle is not in direct contact with the hot tea.
2. In electrical conduction, free electrons pass through a substance, thus enabling an electric current.

Some materials are better conductors than others. Most metals are good thermal conductors, and certain metals (copper, aluminum) are very good electrical conductors. When a material is an exceptionally poor conductor, we call it an insulator. Styrofoam is a good thermal insulator, and glass is a good electrical insulator.

Answer 2

Conduction is the process of heat transfer through direct contact between two objects at different temperatures. It occurs when heat energy is transferred from a hotter object to a colder object through molecular collisions without the movement of the objects themselves. Materials that are good conductors, such as metals, allow heat to transfer easily, while insulators, like plastic or wood, impede heat conduction.