Question

How is thermal energy transferred during conduction? Check all that apply.

Thermal energy is transferred between particles that are not touching each other.
Thermal energy is transferred between particles that are in direct contact with each other.
Thermal energy is transferred between objects of different temperatures.
Thermal energy is transferred between objects of the same temperature.
Thermal energy is transferred from slow-moving particles to fast-moving particles.
Thermal energy is transferred from fast-moving particles to slow-moving particles.

Answer 1

True:
- Thermal energy is transferred between particles that are in direct contact with each other. (Conduction requires particle-to-particle contact.)
- Thermal energy is transferred between objects of different temperatures. (Heat flows by conduction from the hotter object to the colder one.)
- Thermal energy is transferred from fast-moving particles to slow-moving particles. (Microscopically, faster (higher‑energy) particles transfer energy to slower ones.)

False:
- Thermal energy is transferred between particles that are not touching each other. (That describes radiation or, for bulk movement, convection—not conduction.)
- Thermal energy is transferred between objects of the same temperature. (There is no net heat transfer at thermal equilibrium, although microscopic exchanges balance out.)