How are conduction, convection, and radiation different?

In physics, heat transfer occurs through three distinct mechanisms that convey energy from one location to another.12

• Conduction is the transfer of energy between adjacent molecules or atoms within a substance. It occurs primarily in solids or fluids at rest, where heat moves through particle agitation and contact without the bulk movement of the material itself. It is generally a slow process, with rates depending on the material's thermal conductivity.1324
• Convection involves the transfer of heat through the movement of a heated fluid, such as air or water. Unlike conduction, this process relies on the actual flow of the fluid, which can be natural (driven by density and buoyancy differences) or forced (driven by external means like fans or pumps). It is typically a more rapid process than conduction.152
• Radiation is the transmission of energy as electromagnetic radiation. It is unique because it requires no material medium to convey energy, allowing heat to travel from a heated surface through a vacuum to be absorbed by another surface.12