Which method of fire spread involves the process of transferring heat through matter by movement of the kinetic energy from one particle to another?

The correct answer is based on the principle of conduction, which is a method of heat transfer that occurs when heat moves through a material due to the kinetic energy transferred between particles. In conduction, when one part of a substance is heated, the particles in that region gain energy and start to vibrate. These vibrating particles collide with their neighboring particles, transferring some of their energy to them. This continues, allowing heat to gradually move through the material.

This concept is crucial in understanding how fires spread, especially in solid materials. For example, when a fire heats a wooden beam, the heat conducted through the beam can lead to ignition at a distance from the original flame, contributing to the fire's spread.

In contrast, convection involves the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases) as warmer, less dense areas rise and cooler, denser areas sink. Radiation transfers heat in the form of electromagnetic waves, such as infrared radiation, without requiring a medium. An explosion is a rapid release of energy, often accompanied by a shockwave, but it does not describe a method of continuous heat transfer. Understanding these differences helps clarify why conduction is the method described in the question.