Conduction is one of the three modes of heat transfer, along with convection and radiation. It is the process by which heat is transferred through direct contact between objects or substances. In conduction, thermal energy flows from regions of higher temperature to regions of lower temperature, causing the particles in the hotter region to transfer their energy to the particles in the cooler region.

An everyday example of conduction is cooking on a stove. When a metal pot is placed on a hot burner, the heat is conducted from the burner to the bottom of the pot, and then throughout the pot, cooking the food evenly. Similarly, when you touch a hot stove, the heat is conducted from the stove to your hand, resulting in a painful sensation.

Conduction is also significant in various other applications. For instance, in engineering, thermal conductors, like copper, are used in heat sinks to dissipate heat from electronic devices. In the field of medicine, thermography uses the principle of conduction to detect variations in body temperature and diagnose certain medical conditions.