What is conduction in physics?

Conduction in physics refers specifically to the transfer of heat through solids, where thermal energy moves from the hotter part of an object to the colder part without the movement of the material itself. This process occurs at the atomic or molecular level; when particles in a hotter region of a solid vibrate more vigorously, they collide with neighboring particles, transferring energy to them. This chain reaction continues until the temperature throughout the solid evens out, demonstrating the efficiency of conduction in solids due to their closely packed particles.

The other options describe different modes of heat transfer. Heat transfer through liquids and gases typically involves convection, where warmer, less dense fluid rises and cooler, denser fluid sinks, creating a current. The term "process of heat loss" is vague and does not specify a mechanism of heat transfer, making it less relevant in defining what conduction specifically is. Therefore, option C accurately describes conduction as it relates to the transfer of thermal energy in solids.