The transfer of energy (typically heat or electricity) through direct contact between particles or materials.

Conduction

Conduction is a fundamental mechanism of energy transfer that occurs when particles or materials in direct contact exchange energy through microscopic collisions and interactions. This process is essential in both thermal and electrical contexts.

Thermal Conduction

Thermal conduction occurs when heat flows from regions of higher temperature to regions of lower temperature through matter. This process is governed by several key principles:

The rate of heat transfer depends on the temperature gradient
Material properties determine conductivity (e.g., thermal conductivity)
No mass transfer is required, only molecular vibrations

Common examples include:

Heat spreading through a metal pot
Warmth transferring from hot coffee through a ceramic mug
Heat sink operation in electronic devices

Electrical Conduction

Electrical conduction involves the movement of charged particles (usually electrons) through a conductive medium. Key aspects include:

Flow of electric current through conductors
Dependence on material electrical resistance
Relationship to electron behavior in materials

Conductivity in Materials

Materials can be classified based on their conductive properties:

Good Conductors
- Metals (copper, aluminum, silver)
- plasma (in specific conditions)
Semiconductors
- Silicon
- Germanium
- semiconductor materials
Insulators
- Rubber
- Glass
- Plastic

Applications

Conduction plays a crucial role in numerous applications:

Electronic devices and circuit design
Building thermal insulation
Industrial heat exchangers
thermodynamic systems

Mathematical Description

The basic equation for conduction (Fourier's Law) relates heat transfer rate to temperature gradient:

q = -k(dT/dx)

Where:

q is heat transfer rate
k is thermal conductivity
dT/dx is the temperature gradient

Related Phenomena

Conduction often occurs alongside other heat transfer mechanisms:

Understanding conduction is crucial for fields ranging from electronics to building design, making it a cornerstone concept in physics and engineering.