conduction

[ kuhn-duhk-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of conducting, as of water through a pipe.
2. Physics.
   1. the transfer of heat between two parts of a stationary system, caused by a temperature difference between the parts.
   2. transmission through a conductor.
   3. conductivity.
3. Physiology. the carrying of sound waves, electrons, heat, or nerve impulses by a nerve or other tissue.

conduction

/ kənˈdʌkʃən /

noun

1. the transfer of energy by a medium without bulk movement of the medium itself Compare convection

   heat conduction,

   electrical conduction,

   sound conduction

2. the transmission of an electrical or chemical impulse along a nerve fibre
3. the act of conveying or conducting, as through a pipe
4. physics another name for conductivity

conduction

/ kən-dŭk′shən /

1. The transfer of energy, such as heat or an electric charge, through a substance. In heat conduction, energy is transferred from molecule to molecule by direct contact; the molecules themselves do not necessarily change position, but simply vibrate more or less quickly against each other. In electrical conduction, energy is transferred by the movement of electrons or ions.
2. Compare convectionSee also radiation

conduction

1. Transfer of energy through a medium (for example, heat or electricity through metal) without any apparent change in the medium.

Derived Forms

• conˈductional, adjective

Other Words From

• con·duction·al adjective
• precon·duction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conduction¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin conductiōn-, stem of conductiō “a bringing together, a hiring,” equivalent to conduct(us) “brought together” (past participle of condūcere “to lead, bring together”; conduce ) + -iō -ion

A Closer Look

Heat is a form of energy that manifests itself in the motion of molecules and atoms, as well as subatomic particles. Heat energy can be transferred by conduction, convection, or radiation. In conduction heat spreads through a substance when faster atoms and molecules collide with neighboring slower ones, transferring some of their kinetic energy to them. This is how the handle of a teaspoon sticking out of a cup of hot tea eventually gets hot, though it is not in direct contact with the hot liquid. When a fluid is heated, portions of the fluid near the source of the heat tend to become less dense and expand outward, causing currents in the fluid. When these less dense regions rise, cooler portions flow in to take their place, which are then themselves subject to heating. This current flow is called convection. Many ocean currents are convection currents caused by the uneven heating of the ocean waters by the Sun. Radiation transmits heat in the form of electromagnetic waves, especially infrared waves, which have a lower frequency than visible light but a higher frequency than microwaves. Atoms and molecules in a substance struck by such radiation readily absorb the energy from these waves, thereby increasing their own kinetic energy and thus the temperature of the substance.

Example Sentences

Instead, the airflow may impart more heat to your skin via conduction than it removes via enhanced evaporation.

From Outside Online

The Zulu Exero features bone conduction technology that produces a light vibration against the upper cheekbone near your ear, so music is produced just for you, maintaining your situational awareness.

From Popular-Science

When water is poured into a teapot, some of its energy will move to the material in the pot through conduction.

From Science News For Students

A more profound understanding of the conditions necessary for ideal conduction felt close, and with it, a tantalizing step toward an electronics revolution.

From Quanta Magazine

When you do stop, sit on your pack rather than the ground, to prevent heat conduction.

From Outside Online

I now know this was a conduction-style vaporizer, which requires a chamber to hold the steam.

From The Daily Beast

But a few decades ago this same ability to disrupt nerve conduction led to a medical use: deliberate, targeted paralysis.

From The Daily Beast

This small gap is a place of bad conduction and of the piling up of atoms, producing heat, burning, light.

From Project Gutenberg

With regard to the conduction of sound—it is to be noted that sound is carried astonishingly far by means of compact bodies.

From Project Gutenberg

There is also a trophic differentiation, the fibres undertaking special functions of nutrition (the conduction of the sap).

From Project Gutenberg

The whole question of conduction of electricity through the earth is very perplexing.

From Project Gutenberg

The transmission in the petiole of Mimosa is a phenomenon of conduction.

From Project Gutenberg

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