* Free electrons: These are the primary carriers of heat in metals. Metals have a "sea" of free electrons that can easily move and collide with each other, transferring energy. This is why metals are generally good conductors of heat.
* Atoms/Molecules: In non-metals, heat is transferred through collisions between vibrating atoms or molecules. These vibrations can be passed on to neighboring atoms or molecules, leading to the spread of heat.
Important Note: Conduction requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) with particles that can interact with each other. A vacuum, which has no particles, cannot conduct heat.
