Heat transfer mechanisms from "summary" of Basic Thermodynamics by E. Guha

Heat transfer occurs when thermal energy moves from one object or region to another due to a difference in their temperature, referred to as a thermal gradient.

There are three primary mechanisms by which heat can be transferred: conduction, convection and radiation.

Thermal conductivity determines how fast heat can transfer through an item and is generally related to its composition and microscopic structure.

Convection involves the movement of air or liquid molecules that carry heat energy away from the hotter area to the cooler one.

Scientists theorize that all three forms of heat transfer work simultaneously in most scenarios to carefully regulate temperatures on our planet.

In conduction, heat moves through a substance without bulk motion of the material itself, such as an iron skillet on the stove top.

Radiation describes the process of energy transmission via electromagnetic waves, spread over a long distance and not requiring a physical material medium for it to travel through.

Heat transfer is essential for maintaining equilibrium in temperatures around us.

During radiation the temperature of the two objects doesn’t have to be too disparate for heat exchange to take place.

Insulators do not conduct heat effectively, while good conductors pass it quickly.