The main difference between conduction , convection and radiation is Conduction is nothing but the heat transfer from the hotter part to the colder one. Convection is the heat transfer by up and down motion of the fluid. Radiation occurs when heat travels through empty space. Learn about the diffusion of thermal energy (heat) within or between materials, and how it depends on factors such as temperature, density, and molecular bonding. Find out the definitions, formulas, examples, and applications of thermal conductivity, contact resistance, and thermoelectricity. An area of higher kinetic energy transfers thermal energy towards the lower kinetic energy area. High-speed particles clash with particles moving at a slow speed, as a result, slow speed particles increase their kinetic energy. This is a typical form of heat transfer and takes place through physical contact. Conduction is also known as thermal conduction or heat conduction . In the field of physics, conduction has a specific definition. It refers to the transfer of thermal, electrical, and acoustic energy.