Which type of medium is required for conduction?

Hint: We know that conduction is defined as the process by which the heat is transferred from the hot part of the body to the cold part of the body through the transfer of energy from a particle to another particle of the body without the real movement of the particles from their equilibrium states.

Complete answer:
The transfer of heat usually takes place from a body having a higher temperature to another body having a lower temperature. In substances like aluminium, silver, copper heat is transferred from one part of the solid to another part of it through the process of conduction.

When the molecules increase in temperature, the conduction of heat takes place. Due to the increase in temperature, the molecules start vibrating and this vibration and the movement helps in passing the heat energy to the molecules surrounding them. This process occurs more readily in liquids and solids than in gases. This is because the distance between particles in solids and liquids is lesser when compared to the distance between particles in gases.

The rate of transfer of heat is higher in conduction when the difference in temperature between the particles that are in contact is higher.

Therefore, solid or liquid medium is required for conduction.

Note: It is important to note that solids transfer energy more effectively than liquids. This is because molecules are tightly packed in them and they are closer. As the molecules are loosely packed in gases, the energy transfer is very less efficient.