How does conduction facilitate heat exchange?

Conduction facilitates heat exchange through direct contact between objects, which is the fundamental principle defining this mode of heat transfer. In conduction, thermal energy passes from the hotter object to the colder one as their particles collide and transfer kinetic energy to each other. The closer the objects are and the greater the temperature difference between them, the more efficient the heat transfer will be.

In scenarios where conduction is dominant, materials with high thermal conductivity, such as metals, will transfer heat quickly, while insulators (like wood or rubber) will do so less effectively. This process is commonly observed when a hot pot is placed on a cold surface—heat moves from the pot to the surface through direct contact, warming it up.

Other options, while related to heat transfer, do not accurately describe conduction. For example, the notion of heat exchange occurring without physical contact pertains more to radiation rather than conduction. Heating surrounding air refers to convection, which involves the movement of air and fluids rather than direct contact between objects. The conversion of liquids to gases is associated with phase changes and is not directly related to conduction, further distinguishing its mechanism from that of heat transfer by conduction.