Final answer:
The student's hands are being heated through conduction, which is the transfer of heat through direct contact, influenced by the materials' thermal conductivity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which the student's hands are being heated is known as conduction. This is a mode of heat transfer where thermal energy is transferred from a hotter body to a colder body through direct contact. In the case mentioned, the matt black side and the polished copper side that the student is holding will conduct heat from the surroundings to the student's hands. The rate of heat conduction depends on the material's properties, with the copper sheet likely transferring heat more efficiently than the matt black side due to its higher thermal conductivity.