We need to understand the basics of particle theory in order to understand how conduction happens.

You need to understand that all particles move, and that they will begin to move more quickly when heat is added. You also need to know that they are attracted to one another. Here's how conduction works: 1. A heat source is in contact with a substance (for example a metal pan on a stove) 2. The particles in the pan will begin to move more quickly. Because they are attracted to one another, they will always bounce back and hit off of the other particles nearest them. 3. When they hit, some of their energy is transferred to those particles. In this way, the heat will travel up the pan starting with the particles closest to the element and ending with the particles at the top of the pan (or the handle if it's also metal). 4. Conduction happens when the particles in the metal pan, knock off of the particles of the food that's in the pan. Some of the energy is transferred to these food particles, and they begin to move more quickly. They do the same thing, and eventually the food gets hot. This is conduction.