What is the term for heat transfer that occurs between two surfaces through direct contact?

The correct answer is conduction, which refers to the transfer of heat that occurs through direct contact between materials or surfaces. When two objects at different temperatures come into contact with each other, heat will flow from the hotter object to the cooler one until they reach thermal equilibrium. This process is essential in cooking methods such as frying or grilling, where food is heated by direct contact with a hot pan or grill surface.

In contrast, radiation involves the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves and does not require any contact between objects. Convection is the transfer of heat through fluids, where the movement of the fluid itself carries heat from one part to another, and evaporation pertains to the process of a liquid turning into vapor, which is not related to direct heat transfer between surfaces.