Heat conduction is the process by which heat energy is transferred through a material without any movement of the material itself. This occurs when warmer particles collide with cooler ones, transferring energy in the form of heat. Metals, such as copper and aluminum, are excellent conductors of heat due to their closely packed atoms, which facilitate efficient energy transfer. In contrast, materials like wood and rubber are poor conductors, known as insulators, because their atomic structure hinders the movement of heat. The rate of heat conduction depends on factors such as the material's temperature difference, thickness, and thermal conductivity, which is a measure of how well a material conducts heat.