text: how does heat conduct through metal? and what is the best kind of heat conducter?   a heated object in contact with another object....like metal transfers its energy to the object.  this happens on the atomic scale. rapidly oscillating atoms of the heated object in turn agitate and increase the energy of the other (metal).  the heated one cools a little and the metal heats a little....depending on how hot it is, what their sizes are and so on.  it's like....if you and a buddy get on a trampoline. you're on one side and he's on the other. he stands still and you start jumping up and down in a rhythm. soon he will start bouncing up and down as well because the trampoline transfers your energy to him.  kind of like that.  usually metals that conduct electricity are good conductors of heat as well. not always but mostly.  aluminum gold silver copper brass  are some common ones.  hope this helps.