How Does Matter Transfer Thermal Energy?
Matter will transfer thermal energy in one of three ways: through conduction, convection, and radiation. When two objects of differing temperatures are put together, the objects will endeavor to reach thermal equilibrium. That is, heat will be transferred from the higher concentration to the lower concentration—from hot to cold. In other words, the hotter object will transfer heat to the cooler object until both objects have the same temperature. Once the objects reach equilibrium, they will tend to stay there unless there is some sort of external change.