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10 Examples of Conduction

November 17, 2023
written by Sidra Batool

Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between objects, for example, the heating of a metal spoon in hot soup, touching a hot pan, walking barefoot on hot sand, ironing clothes, using a heated seat in a car, cooking with a metal utensil in a hot pan, walking on a hot sidewalk, touching an icy window pane, handling a cold metal water bottle, and walking on a cold tile floor.

image showing Examples of Conduction

Also read: Examples of Heat Transfer

Examples of Conduction

Here are some Examples of Conduction in daily life:

1: Holding Metal Spoon in Hot Soup

When you hold a metal spoon in hot soup, the heat from the soup is transferred to the spoon. The particles in the spoon gain energy from the hot soup and transfer it to adjacent particles, eventually reaching your hand. This is an example of conduction because the heat is transferred without any actual movement of the material itself.

2: Touching a Hot Pan

When you touch a hot pan, the heat from the pan is conducted to your skin. This is because the high-temperature particles in the pan transfer their energy to the particles in your skin upon contact. Conduction occurs as heat flows from the hotter object to the colder object until they reach thermal equilibrium.

3: Walking Barefoot on Hot Sand

Walking barefoot on hot sand is an example of conduction because the heat from the sun-warmed sand is transferred to the soles of your feet. The particles in the sand transfer their thermal energy to the particles in your feet, causing them to feel hot.

4: Ironing Clothes

When you iron clothes, the heat from the iron is conducted to the fabric. The iron transfers thermal energy to the fabric particles, removing wrinkles and making the clothes smooth and crisp. Conduction is the reason why ironing effectively eliminates wrinkles.

5: Using Heated Seat in Car

If you use a heated seat in a car, the warmth from the heated seat is conducted to your body. This occurs as the heated seat transfers energy from the seat to your body upon contact. Conduction plays a crucial role in providing comfort and warmth in cars.

6: Cooking with Metal Utensil in Hot Pan

When cooking with a metal utensil in a hot pan, the heat is transferred from the pan to the metal utensil. This is because the particles in the pan transfer their energy to the particles in the utensil, causing the utensil to heat up. Conduction is the reason why metal utensils are often used for cooking.

7: Walking on a Hot Sidewalk

On a hot day, walking on a hot sidewalk illustrates conduction. The heat from the sun-warmed concrete is transferred to the soles of your shoes and then to your feet. This is why your feet feel hot when you walk on a hot sidewalk. Conduction is the mechanism by which the heat from the sidewalk is transferred to your feet.

8: Touching Icy Window Pane

Touching an icy window pane is an example of conduction. The cold temperature of the glass is transferred through the material to your hand, causing your hand to feel cold. This is because the particles in the glass transfer their energy to the particles in your hand. Conduction is the reason why you feel cold when you touch something cold.

9: Handling Cold Metal Water Bottle

When you handle a cold metal water bottle, the low temperature is conducted through the metal to your hand. This is because the particles in the metal transfer their energy to the particles in your hand, causing your hand to feel cold. Conduction is the mechanism by which the cold temperature of the metal is transferred to your hand.

10: Walking on a Cold Tile Floor

Walking barefoot on a cold tile floor is an example of conduction. The coldness of the tiles is transferred through the soles of your feet. This is because the particles in the tiles transfer their energy to the particles in your feet, causing your feet to feel cold. Conduction is the reason why you feel cold when you walk on a cold floor.

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