What describes the ability of an object to transfer heat?

The ability of an object to transfer heat is referred to as thermal conductivity. This property indicates how well a material can conduct heat from one part to another through the motion of its molecules. High thermal conductivity means that the material can transfer heat quickly, while low thermal conductivity indicates that the material is a good insulator and does not conduct heat efficiently.

Materials with good thermal conductivity, such as metals, allow heat to pass through them easily, making them suitable for applications where heat transfer is desired—like cooking utensils or heat exchangers. Conversely, materials with low thermal conductivity, such as rubber or fiberglass, are used when thermal insulation is needed, as they limit the flow of heat.

The other options, while related to heat and materials in various ways, do not specifically describe the transfer of heat itself. Thermal insulation refers to the prevention of heat loss, electrical resistance pertains to how electricity flows through a material, and thermal expansion relates to how materials change in size or volume in response to temperature changes.