Wärmeleitungsprozess

Wärmeleitungsprozess, also known as thermal conduction, is a fundamental mode of heat transfer that occurs within a material or between materials in direct contact without the bulk movement of the material itself. This process relies on the transfer of kinetic energy between adjacent particles, such as atoms, molecules, or free electrons. When one part of a substance is heated, its particles vibrate more vigorously. These vibrations are then passed on to neighboring particles through collisions, leading to a propagation of thermal energy from hotter regions to colder regions.

In solids, heat conduction is primarily attributed to lattice vibrations (phonons) and, in metals, also by the movement of free electrons. In liquids and gases, the transfer is mainly due to collisions between molecules. The rate of heat conduction is governed by Fourier's Law of Heat Conduction, which states that the heat flux is proportional to the negative temperature gradient and the thermal conductivity of the material. Materials with high thermal conductivity, like metals, facilitate rapid heat transfer, while materials with low thermal conductivity, such as insulators like wood or styrofoam, impede it. This principle is crucial in various engineering applications, from designing efficient heat exchangers to insulating buildings and electronic components.