Which process involves heat transfer without physical movement of material?

The process that involves heat transfer without the physical movement of material is conduction. In conduction, heat is transferred through direct contact between molecules in a solid material. When one part of a solid is heated, its molecules vibrate more quickly, colliding with adjacent molecules and transferring energy to them. This process occurs without any bulk movement of the entire material itself; instead, the energy is transferred through the tight bonding of particles in the material.

This principle is critical in understanding thermal properties in various sheet metal applications, as it impacts how materials are engineered for heat resistance and thermal conductivity. Conduction is often observed in metals, where heat transfer through the material can affect processes like welding or soldering, as consistent temperature is crucial for successful results.

In contrast, convection involves the transfer of heat by the physical movement of fluids (liquids or gases), while radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves, and evaporation relates to the change of state of a liquid to gas and involves energy transfer via changes in phase. Each of these processes has its own unique characteristics and applications, making it essential to recognize the distinction among them when studying heat transfer.