What is the primary mechanism for heat transfer in solids?

The primary mechanism for heat transfer in solids is conduction. This process occurs when heat is transferred through a material without the movement of the material itself. In solids, the particles are closely packed together, and when one particle is heated, it starts to vibrate and passes on this energy to its neighboring particles. This transfer of energy continues through the solid material, resulting in a temperature change.

In comparison, convection involves the movement of fluids (liquids or gases) and is responsible for heat transfer in those states of matter, not in solids. Radiation, on the other hand, occurs through electromagnetic waves and does not require a medium, but it is not the primary means of heat transfer within solids. Insulation relates to materials that reduce the rate of heat transfer, but it does not describe a mechanism of heat transfer itself. Therefore, conduction is rightly recognized as the main method by which heat is transferred in solid materials.