What is the term for the transfer of heat to and through one solid to another?

The process of heat transfer to and through one solid to another is called conduction. This occurs when heat energy is transferred from the warmer solid to a cooler solid through direct contact between the molecules in the materials. The molecules in the warmer object vibrate more quickly and pass their energy to adjacent, slower-moving molecules in the cooler object. This method of heat transfer is efficient in solids because the molecules are closely packed, allowing for easier exchange of energy.

In contrast, induction refers to the heating of an object through electromagnetic fields, which does not involve direct solid-to-solid contact. Reduction does not pertain to heat transfer; it generally means a decrease or diminishment of quantity, often used in different contexts such as chemical reactions or proportions. Production is unrelated to heat transfer and typically refers to the process of creating or generating something, such as energy or goods. Thus, conduction is the precise term that appropriately describes the specific heat transfer process that occurs between solids.