What is the transfer of heat by molecular collisions called?

The transfer of heat by molecular collisions is known as conduction. This process occurs when molecules in a material collide with one another, transferring kinetic energy from the faster-moving (hotter) molecules to the slower-moving (cooler) ones. Conduction is most effective in solids, where molecules are closely packed together, allowing for efficient energy transfer.

In contrast, convection involves the movement of fluids (liquids or gases) where hot, less dense regions rise and cooler, denser regions sink, creating a circulation pattern. Radiation refers to the transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves and does not require matter for transfer, allowing it to occur through a vacuum, such as sunlight traveling through space. Induction, in the context of heat transfer, typically refers to a method of heating using electromagnetic fields rather than molecular collisions. Thus, conduction is the accurate term for the specific mechanism of heat transfer through molecular interaction.