What is the term for the transfer of heat through direct contact without material movement?

The term for the transfer of heat through direct contact without material movement is conduction. This process occurs when heat energy is transferred from one molecule to another through what is known as vibrational energy exchange. In conduction, the heat flows from a hotter object to a cooler one when they are in direct contact.

For instance, if you place a metal spoon in a hot cup of coffee, the heat from the coffee is conducted through the spoon to your hand when you touch it, even though the spoon itself does not move. This principle is foundational in understanding thermal energy transfer in solid materials, where the heat travels through collisions between closely packed atoms or molecules.

In contrast, convection involves the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases), while radiation refers to heat transfer through electromagnetic waves. Transmission generally relates to the passage of light, sound, or heat through a medium rather than the specific mechanism of heat transfer by direct contact.