Which of the following describes the process of heat transfer through conduction?

The process of heat transfer through conduction is best described as the transfer of heat, molecule by molecule, from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature. In conduction, heat energy is transferred directly through the interaction of molecules. When molecules in a warmer substance vibrate or move, they collide with neighboring cooler molecules, imparting energy to them and causing them to move more rapidly. This continues until thermal equilibrium is reached.

Conduction primarily occurs in solids, where molecules are closely packed together, allowing efficient energy transfer. The mechanism relies on direct contact and does not involve the movement of the matter itself over distances, distinguishing it from other methods of heat transfer like convection or radiation. For instance, when a metal rod is heated at one end, the molecules at that end move faster and transmit their kinetic energy to adjacent molecules, leading to a gradual increase in temperature throughout the rod.

In contrast, the other options describe different processes related to heat transfer or motion that do not accurately characterize conduction.