What is the process called when heat is transferred through direct contact of objects?

The process referred to in the question is conduction, which involves the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials. When two objects are in contact with one another, thermal energy moves from the hotter object to the cooler one until thermal equilibrium is reached. This occurs at the molecular level, as the faster-moving molecules in the hotter object collide with and transfer energy to the slower-moving molecules in the cooler object.

Conduction is particularly effective in solids, especially metals, due to their closely packed particles which facilitate the transfer of energy. For instance, if you place a metal spoon in a hot cup of tea, the heat from the tea transfers directly to the spoon through conduction. This process is fundamental in understanding how heat behaves in various materials and plays a crucial role in many engineering applications where thermal management is required.

In contrast, convection involves the movement of fluids and the transfer of heat through the mass motion of the fluid itself, while radiation refers to the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, and insulation applies to materials used to slow down the transfer of heat.