Thermal conduction, also known as heat diffusion, is the kinetic exchange of energy between two objects in physical contact.

In this scenario, one object has a higher temperature than the other. Heat Energy will diffuse from the hotter object to the cooler object until thermal equilibrium is reached as described in the second law of thermodynamics.

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Conduction Begins

This process is similar to chemical osmosis, when chemicals are dispersed across a membrane until saturation is equal on both sides of the membrane. In simpler terms: “Cold” is the absence of heat energy. Therefore a sort of energy vacuum exists between a cold object and its surroundings.

Heat Transfers to the Colder Object

Two Objects are in Equilibrium

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Conduction Completed

This will continue until a state of thermal equilibrium is reached between the object and its surroundings. At this point, the object is no longer “cold.”