Which of the following describes a key feature of conduction?

The correct answer highlights that conduction is characterized by the transfer of heat through solid materials. In this process, thermal energy moves from the hotter part of the solid to the cooler part via direct contact of atoms and molecules. This transfer occurs without any movement of the material itself, meaning that the heat is conducted through the material itself rather than being carried by the movement of fluids, such as air or liquids.

Conduction typically occurs in solids because the closely packed structure allows for efficient energy transfer between adjacent particles. As the particles in the hotter region vibrate more rapidly due to higher energy, they collide with neighboring, cooler particles, passing on some of that energy.

This fundamental process is essential to understand when considering heat transfer in various contexts, like thermal insulation, cooking, and industrial applications.