conduction

views updated May 09 2018

con·duc·tion / kənˈdəkshən/ • n. the process by which heat or electricity is directly transmitted through a substance when there is a difference of temperature or of electrical potential between adjoining regions, without movement of the material. ∎  the process by which sound waves travel through a medium. ∎  the transmission of impulses along nerves. ∎  the conveying of fluid through a pipe or other channel.

conduction

views updated May 09 2018

conduction Transfer of heat within a body. If one end of a metal rod is placed in a flame, the heat energy received causes increased vibratory motion of the molecules in that end. These molecules bump into others farther along the rod, and the increased motion is passed along until finally the end not in the flame becomes hot.

conduction

views updated Jun 11 2018

conduction (kŏn-duk-shŏn) n.
1. (in physics) the process in which heat is transferred through a substance from regions of higher to regions of lower temperature.

2. (in physiology) the passage of a nerve impulse.

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