Conduction vs. Radiation
Main DifferenceThe main difference between conduction, and radiation is that conduction happens due to physical contact of solid when the temperature is increased; and radiation is a flow of heat energy due to electromagnetic waves.

Difference Between Conduction and Radiation
Conduction vs. Radiation
Conduction is a transference of heat energy by direct contact of solids whereas Radiation is a transference of heat energy because of electromagnetic waves.
Conduction vs. Radiation
Conduction is specified to solids whereas Radiation is unspecified to any state of matters and can occur in all.
Conduction vs. Radiation
Conduction is slower than convection and radiation whereas Radiation is quickest of all.
Conductionnoun
(physics) The conveying of heat or electricity through material.
Radiationnoun
The shooting forth of anything from a point or surface, like diverging rays of light.
heat radiationConductionnoun
The act of leading or guiding.
Radiationnoun
The process of radiating waves or particles.
Conductionnoun
(obsolete) The act of training up.
Radiationnoun
The transfer of energy via radiation (as opposed to convection or conduction).
Conductionnoun
the transmission of heat or electricity or sound
Radiationnoun
Radioactive energy.
Radiationnoun
energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves or particles
Radiationnoun
the act of spreading outward from a central source
Radiationnoun
syndrome resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation (e.g., exposure to radioactive chemicals or to nuclear explosions); low doses cause diarrhea and nausea and vomiting and sometimes loss of hair; greater exposure can cause sterility and cataracts and some forms of cancer and other diseases; severe exposure can cause death within hours;
he was suffering from radiationRadiationnoun
the spontaneous emission of a stream of particles or electromagnetic rays in nuclear decay
Radiationnoun
the spread of a group of organisms into new habitats
Radiationnoun
a radial arrangement of nerve fibers connecting different parts of the brain
Radiationnoun
(medicine) the treatment of disease (especially cancer) by exposure to radiation from a radioactive substance
Comparison Chart
Conduction | Radiation |
Conduction is the process of transference of heat due to direct physical contact with solids. This transference of energy is somberly based on the solid medium. | Radiation is the process of flow of heat energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. It does not burn and does not require any physical contact or flow of matter in particular. |
Occurrence | |
Phenomena of conduction occur in solids. | Occurs in the form of electromagnetic waves. |
Rapidity | |
Slowest | Quick |
Transference | |
By physical contact of solids. | By electromagnetic waves. |
Characterize | |
The flow of heat energy between solid substances. | The flow of heat energy via electromagnetic waves. |
Cause | |
Increase in temperature. | Increase in temperature. |
Follows | |
No law | Radiation does follow both laws of reflection and the law of refraction. |
Involvement | |
Physical contact of solids. | Electromagnetic waves. |
Conduction vs. Radiation
Conduction is the 1st phase of heat transference that occurs by raising the temperature of solid in direct contact of heat. Radiation is the 3rd phase of heat transference that occurs in every state of matter when temperature increases from 0 Kelvin. The heat travels via electromagnetic waves in radiation.
What is Conduction?
Conduction is the process of transference of heat due to direct physical contact with solids. This transference of energy is somberly based on the solid medium. Conductions is happened due to the change in temperature, i.e. increase in temperature. This phenomenon depicts the flow of heat energy between solid substances in direct contact. Transference of heat energy in conduction is carried out by physical contact of solids substances at high temperature. Heat energy travels at a relatively slow speed in conduction as compared to convention and radiation both. Heat is passed due to the physical contact and vibrating motion of colliding solid molecules at high temperature. We often heard people metal is a very good conductor of heat whereas plastic is not that much effective in conducting heat. This variance is due to the difference between the natures of solids. Conduction a lot emphasize on the solid is in the contact when the temperature is raised. The solids like metal have stronger intermolecular forces of attraction that tightly bind all of them together, whenever the temperature is rises of metal with direct physical contact, due to the vibration of tightly packed molecules of metal heat energy is carried and transferred all around the body of the metal itself.
Example
The basic example of conduction includes heating a metal pan on the stove under fire. As the temperature rises, the heat energy is transferred all over the pan.
What is Radiation?
Radiation is the process of flow of heat energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. It does not burn and does not require any physical contact or flow of matter in particular. The process of radiation only involves the presence of radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves. Radiation process does follow both the law of reflection and the law of refraction. It is usually occurred due to a slight increase in temperature. It occurs in all states of matter possessing a temperature of more than 0 Kelvin. Heat energy travels at relatively high speed in radiation as compared to convention and conduction both. It is mainly due to no requirement of physical contact and flow of fluid thus depicts the flow of heat energy via electromagnetic waves. It occurs in the form of radio waves so indirectly gaseous occurrence is justified as well. Radiation is the final of three phases of heat transference. Unlike conduction and convection, radiation does not transfer heat that causes burn when contacted it is the flow of energy only via electromagnetic waves.
Example
The vapors or steam coming out of boiling water in the pan is the demonstration of radiation. The heat energy travels in the form of electromagnetic waves in the surrounding atmosphere.
ConclusionConduction occurs due to an increase in temperature in solids when in physical contact, and radiation is a transference of heat energy in surrounding via electromagnetic waves.