Which method of heat transfer involves direct contact?

The method of heat transfer that involves direct contact is conduction. This process occurs when heat energy is transferred from one material to another through direct contact of their particles. When two objects at different temperatures touch each other, heat moves from the hotter object to the cooler one until they reach thermal equilibrium.

For example, if you place a metal spoon in a hot cup of coffee, the heat from the coffee warms the spoon directly through conduction. The atoms and molecules of the hot coffee collide with those of the spoon, transferring kinetic energy and increasing the temperature of the spoon.

In contrast, convection involves the movement of fluids (liquids or gases) where hot portions rise and cooler portions sink, creating a heat transfer mechanism that does not rely on direct contact between all parts. Radiation involves the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves and does not require a medium or direct contact; heat can be transferred through vacuum, such as the warmth of the sun reaching the Earth. Insulation refers to materials used to reduce the transfer of heat, rather than a method of heat transfer itself.