What describes the ability of an object to transfer heat?

The ability of an object to transfer heat is best described by thermal conductivity. This property indicates how well a material can conduct heat; a high thermal conductivity means that the material is efficient at transferring heat energy. For example, metals typically have high thermal conductivity, which is why they are often used in cooking utensils and heat exchangers.

In contrast, thermal efficiency refers to the ratio of useful energy output to energy input in a system, while thermal capacity is related to the amount of heat needed to change the temperature of a material. Thermal resistance, on the other hand, refers to the ability of a material to resist heat flow, which is the opposite of thermal conductivity. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why thermal conductivity is the appropriate term for the heat transfer ability of an object.