Heat transfer and mass transfer

Thermal engineers study heat transfer, which concerns the creation, utilization, conversion and exchange of heat between systems. Heat transfer is divided into several mechanisms, including:

• Heat conduction: Also called diffusion, heat conduction is the direct exchange of kinetic energy of particles between two systems when one system is at a different temperature from another or its surroundings.
• Heat convection: Heat convection involves the transfer of mass from one area to another. It occurs when the bulk of a fluid transfers heat as matter within the fluid moves.
• Thermal radiation: Thermal radiation is heat transfer by electromagnetic radiation without the need for matter to be present between systems. Sunshine is a good example of radiation.