Conduction - GCSE Chemistry Definition

Conduction is the process by which heat or electricity is directly transferred through a material. In GCSE Chemistry, students learn that this happens because particles in the material, like atoms or molecules, are closely packed together.

When one particle gains energy, it vibrates faster and passes that energy onto its neighbours, similar to a chain reaction. This is most efficient in solids, especially metals, because their particles are fixed in place and can easily pass the energy along. So, when you heat one end of a metal rod, the heat travels through the rod to the other end by conduction.