What is heat transfer?

Heat transfer refers to the movement of heat energy from one location to another due to a temperature difference. This process is fundamental in understanding how heat distributes itself in different environments, impacting various scenarios in fire investigation. Heat can transfer in three ways: conduction, convection, and radiation, each playing a role in how fire spreads and how materials respond to heat.

The focus on the movement aspect of heat energy highlights how various materials and mediums facilitate or impede temperature changes, which is vital for assessing fire behavior, determining the origin of a fire, and understanding how heat can contribute to ignition. Recognizing this principle is essential for accurately investigating and analyzing fire incidents.