What do we call a scientific phenomenon where energy is transferred due to temperature differences?

The phenomenon of energy transfer due to temperature differences is known as heat transfer. This process occurs when there is a temperature gradient between two objects or areas, leading to the movement of thermal energy from the hotter region to the cooler one. Heat transfer can happen through three primary mechanisms: conduction, convection, and radiation.

While thermal conduction specifically refers to the transfer of heat through a material without the bulk movement of the material itself, it is just one of the methods of heat transfer. Energy transition and calorimetry are terms that do not accurately describe the broad concept of energy transfer due to temperature differences. Therefore, the most encompassing and accurate term for this phenomenon is heat transfer.