Which method of heat transfer involves the direct transfer of thermal energy between materials in contact?

The method of heat transfer that involves the direct transfer of thermal energy between materials in contact is conduction. This process occurs when two objects at different temperatures touch each other, allowing heat to flow from the hotter object to the cooler one until thermal equilibrium is reached.

In conduction, the molecules in the warmer material vibrate more rapidly and collide with adjacent molecules in the cooler material, transferring energy through direct contact. This is commonly observed in solids, especially metals, where the tightly packed atoms can efficiently transfer kinetic energy.

Understanding conduction is crucial in refrigeration, as optimizing material choices and contact surfaces can significantly affect the efficiency of heat exchange processes in refrigeration systems.