Modes of heat transfer — identify the definition: “Conduction is heat transfer from one particle to another by actual motion of the heated particles.” Is this statement correct?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: False

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
There are three basic heat transfer modes: conduction, convection, and radiation. Clear definitions are vital to selecting the correct correlations and boundary conditions in engineering problems.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The quoted statement attributes heat transfer “by actual motion of the heated particles” to conduction.
  • No special micro-scale effects are invoked.


Concept / Approach:
Conduction is heat transfer through a medium without bulk motion of the medium, primarily via molecular interactions, lattice vibrations, or electron transport (in metals). Convection is heat transfer accompanied by bulk fluid motion (natural or forced). The statement given actually describes convection, not conduction.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Recall definitions: conduction → no bulk motion; convection → bulk motion carries energy.The phrase “actual motion of heated particles” is the hallmark of convection.Therefore the statement about conduction is false.


Verification / Alternative check:
Fourier’s law (q = −k * dT/dx) is the governing relation for conduction and contains no velocity term. Convection uses Newton’s law of cooling (q = h * A * ΔT) and relies on flow.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Any conditional “true” option misclassifies the transport mechanism; conduction does not become convection at high temperature by definition.



Common Pitfalls:
Equating microscopic molecular motion in solids with macroscopic fluid motion. Conduction considers energy transfer due to gradients without bulk displacement.



Final Answer:

False

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