What is conduction?

Conduction is the process of heat transfer that occurs through direct contact of particles within a solid material. When molecules in a solid are heated, they gain energy and vibrate more rapidly. This increased kinetic energy is transferred to neighboring molecules through direct interactions. As one molecule collides with another, it passes some of its energy along, leading to a gradual transfer of heat from the hotter part of the material to the cooler part.

A common example of conduction is touching a metal spoon that has been heated in boiling water. The heat flows from the hot water into the spoon, warming it up due to direct contact between the particles of the spoon and water.

This option correctly emphasizes the mechanism of energy transfer at the molecular level, highlighting the importance of physical contact in the conduction process.