Heat Transfer: Conduction, Convection, and Radiation

Heat transfer is how energy moves—by conduction, convection, or radiation.
Conduction is heat passed by direct contact, like a hot pan warming your hand.
Metals are great conductors because their electrons move energy quickly.
Convection is heat carried by moving fluids, like boiling water or rising warm air.
It drives weather: warm air rises, cool air sinks, creating winds and storms.
Radiation moves heat through invisible waves, like the Sun warming Earth across space.
Unlike conduction or convection, radiation doesn’t need air or matter to travel.
Everyday examples: conduction cooks your steak, convection heats your soup, radiation toasts your face by the fire.
Engineers use these principles in insulation, ovens, refrigerators, and spacecraft design.
Together, these three processes explain every way heat energy moves in the universe.