flows from one area to another. Heat is a measure of this flow. The transfer of thermal energy can occur in three ways: convection, conduction and radiation.
You want to roast marshmallows, so you decide to use a wooden stick because a metal rod is too good at conducting heat and would get too hot. Using the campfire to roast your marshmallows, you notice smoke coming up through a convection current, which transfers the heat from the flames. The toasting of your marshmallows, the gaining of heat, is occurring without touching the flames due to radiation.
As you continue to roast your marshmallows, you also notice that the stick you are using is starting to get warm. This is due to conduction - the transfer of heat through a material, in this case, the wooden stick. The heat from the marshmallow is being transferred to the stick, causing it to warm up.
Understanding these three ways in which heat can be transferred is important in many fields, including engineering, physics, and chemistry. By understanding the different methods of heat transfer, scientists and engineers can design systems and materials that are more efficient and effective in managing thermal energy. From cooking marshmallows to designing spacecraft, a knowledge of heat transfer is essential to many aspects of our lives.