What is the process of heat transfer in solids known as?

The correct answer is Conduction.

Key Points

• Conduction is the process of heat transfer in solids where energy is transferred through direct contact between particles without any movement of the material.
• It occurs due to the vibration and transfer of kinetic energy from one atom or molecule to another in a solid lattice structure.
• Materials like metals are good conductors of heat because their free electrons facilitate faster energy transfer.
• The rate of conduction depends on the thermal conductivity of the material. For example, copper and aluminum have high thermal conductivity.
• This mechanism is distinct from convection (heat transfer in fluids) and radiation (heat transfer through electromagnetic waves).

Additional Information

• Thermal Conductivity: It is a measure of a material's ability to conduct heat. Metals like silver and copper have high thermal conductivity, while materials like wood and rubber are poor conductors.
• Fourier’s Law: It describes the conduction process mathematically, stating that the heat transfer rate is proportional to the temperature gradient and the cross-sectional area of the material.
• Insulators: Materials such as glass, plastic, and air are considered insulators because they resist heat transfer through conduction.
• Applications: Conduction is utilized in everyday objects like cooking utensils (e.g., pans) and industrial processes like heat exchangers.
• Comparison with Other Heat Transfer Mechanisms: While conduction occurs in solids, convection is predominant in liquids and gases, and radiation can transfer heat through a vacuum.