Thermal conduction transfers heat down a temperature gradient through microscopic interactions, without bulk transport of matter.
The temperature gradient is the gradient of the temperature field. It points in the direction of fastest temperature increase.
Thermal conductivity is the positive material coefficient in Fourier's law. It may depend on temperature, composition, and direction.
Thermal diffusivity is , the ratio of thermal conductivity to volumetric heat capacity. It sets the diffusion length over time .
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Thermal conduction is the process by which heat energy is transferred through materials without any flow of the material itself. This transfer occurs due to temperature differences within a substance or between different substances in thermal contact. When a region of a material is heated, the particles in that region gain energy and vibrate more vigorously. These excited particles collide with neighboring particles, transferring some of their energy to them, which raises their temperature. This process continues, allowing heat to move from the hotter area to the cooler area.