What does the term 'conduction' refer to in the context of heat transfer?

The term "conduction" specifically refers to the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials. This occurs when two objects at different temperatures are in contact with each other; heat flows from the hotter object to the cooler one until thermal equilibrium is reached. An example of conduction is touching a metal spoon in a hot pot of soup—heat is transferred from the soup through the spoon to your hand due to direct contact.

In the context of heat transfer, conduction is distinct from other mechanisms such as convection and radiation. Convection involves the transfer of heat through fluids, where warm fluid rises and cooler fluid sinks, creating a current. Radiation, on the other hand, involves heat transfer in the form of electromagnetic waves, like sunlight warming your skin. The movement of heat through space isn't classified under conduction, as it does not involve direct contact or the presence of a medium. Thus, the definition of conduction is clearly focused on the direct physical interaction between materials facilitating heat transfer.