Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) Practice Test

What defines the flow of heat from molecule to molecule within a substance?

1. Conduction

2. Convection

3. Specific heat

4. Latent heat of fusion

The correct answer is: Conduction

Conduction is the process that describes the transfer of heat through a material by direct molecular interaction. In a conductive material, when one molecule absorbs heat, it becomes more energetic and vibrates more vigorously. This increased energy is then transferred to neighboring molecules through collisions. This process continues, allowing the heat to spread throughout the substance. In contrast, convection involves the movement of fluids and the transfer of heat through the bulk movement of the fluid itself, not just through molecular interaction. Specific heat refers to the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a substance, while latent heat of fusion pertains to the energy required for a substance to change its state from solid to liquid without changing temperature. Thus, conduction distinctly captures the heat transfer mechanism at the molecular level, identifying it as the correct answer to the question.