Which process transfers thermal energy through direct contact?

The process that transfers thermal energy through direct contact is conduction. In conduction, heat is transferred from one particle of a substance to another through direct contact, allowing thermal energy to flow from the hotter areas to cooler areas until thermal equilibrium is reached. This occurs at the microscopic level as fast-moving (hot) particles collide with slower-moving (cold) particles, transferring energy in the process.

This is different from convection, which transfers heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases) and involves the bulk movement of the fluid itself rather than direct particle-to-particle contact. Radiation, on the other hand, relies on electromagnetic waves to transfer energy and does not require any medium, making it distinct from conduction. Filtration is a process used to separate solids from liquids or gases and is not a method of thermal energy transfer.