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Heat always flows from and area of high temperature to an area of lower temperature. This can happen in three ways.
The first method of travel is by conduction.
Conduction works best when the particles of a substance are in close contact, and that occurs best in solids. Conduction is the transfer of heat between particles that have contact with each other. As a high-energy particle is vibrating it contacts other less energetic particles around it and passes on some of its energy to them when they touch.
For example, when stirring a hot cup of tea with a metal spoon, the energy passes from the hot water particles to those in the spoon. Those particles, in turn, pass on the energy further up the spoon to your fingers. When it gets too hot to hold you must let go of the spoon or burn your fingers.
Remember: the energy flow is from high kinetic energy levels to areas of lower kinetic energy.
DID YOU KNOW?
The terms conductors and insulators are also used in the study of electricity. Good conductors allow electricity to pass along them, while insulators resist the flow of electricity. The wiring in your home and appliances is covered with insulation to prevent electrical shocks.
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