Final answer:
During conduction, thermal energy is transferred between particles that are in direct contact with each other, and between objects of different temperatures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Heat conduction is the transfer of heat between two objects in direct contact with each other. When thermal energy is transferred during conduction, it occurs between particles that are in direct contact with each other. For example, when you touch a hot stove, thermal energy is transferred from the stove to your hand through conduction.
Additionally, thermal energy is transferred between objects of different temperatures through conduction. For instance, if you place a cold object on a hot plate, heat will be conducted from the hot plate to the cold object until it reaches thermal equilibrium. However, thermal energy is not transferred between particles or objects that are not in direct contact with each other. This would be an example of convection or radiation, which are other methods of heat transfer.