What is the process called when heat is transferred through a solid?

The process of heat transfer through a solid is known as conduction. This occurs when heat energy is transferred from the hotter part of the solid to the cooler part, typically through the vibration of molecules and the movement of free electrons within the material. In solids, especially those that are good thermal conductors like metals, this transfer is highly efficient. The atoms or molecules in the solid metal vibrate and collide with each other, passing energy from one to another until the temperature equalizes.

In contrast, convection involves the transfer of heat through fluids (liquids and gases) where warmer areas of the fluid rise and cooler areas sink, creating a circulation pattern. Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves and does not require a medium, such as air or water, to occur. Diffusion generally refers to the movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration and is not specifically related to heat transfer. Therefore, conduction is the proper term for heat transfer occurring within solids.