Final answer:
The term for the ability of matter to conduct electricity or heat is 'conduction,' and materials that do this well, such as metals, are called 'conductors' due to their free electrons or ions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that explains the ability of matter to conduct, or carry along, electricity or heat is called conduction. Materials that allow charges to move through them, such as metals and salty water, are deemed as conductors because they possess free electrons or ions that can carry the electrical current and transport thermal energy. In contrast, materials where charges do not move freely, such as plastic and glass, are called insulators and do not exhibit good conduction. Conduction is also a method of heat transfer through matter that is in physical contact, without the material itself moving significantly.