Definition
The transfer of heat through a material, or from one material to another in direct physical contact, by the movement of energy from molecule to molecule. Heat flows from the warmer area to the cooler area until the temperatures equalize.
Plain English
Heat moving through something solid, or from one solid object into another that is touching it. The hot side warms the cold side by direct contact.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance discussions about heat, cooling, engines, exhaust parts, brakes, and metal structure.
Derivation
From the Latin conducere, meaning to lead or bring together. The idea is that heat is being led through the material from one point to another.
Why Pilots Care
Conduction is how heat travels through engine components, firewalls, and exhaust systems. Understanding it helps explain why certain parts get hot, why heat shielding is used, and why temperature indications behave the way they do.
Analogy
Hold a metal spoon in a hot cup of coffee for a minute. The handle gets warm even though it is not in the coffee. That is conduction — heat traveling through the metal.
Grounding Statement
If a hot exhaust part touches a bracket, heat can move through the contact point into the bracket by conduction.
Intuition Check
Conduction does not mean heat moving through open air like wind. In heat discussions, conduction means heat moving through material or through direct contact.
Example Sentence 1
Heat from the combustion chamber reaches the cylinder head fins by conduction through the metal.
Example Sentence 2
Aluminum conducts heat well, so the wing surface near the engine warms quickly during ground operations.