What term describes the transfer of heat by direct contact between two surfaces?

The term that describes the transfer of heat by direct contact between two surfaces is conduction. This process occurs when particles in a warmer object vibrate or move faster and collide with adjacent particles in a cooler object, transferring thermal energy in the process. It is important in many practical applications, such as cooking or warming up your hands on a hot surface, and is fundamental in understanding how heat is distributed in materials.

Convection, on the other hand, involves the movement of heat through fluids (liquids and gases) as warmer areas rise and cooler areas sink, leading to a circulation pattern. Radiation refers to the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, which can occur even through the vacuum of space, such as how the Sun warms the Earth. Evaporation is the process where liquid turns into vapor, which can absorb heat from the surrounding environment but does not involve direct contact transfer. Understanding these distinctions is vital in various scientific and practical contexts.