What factor affects the rate of heat transfer?

The rate of heat transfer is significantly influenced by temperature differences. The basic principle of thermal dynamics states that heat moves from regions of higher temperature to regions of lower temperature. The greater the temperature differential between two objects or systems, the faster the heat will transfer. This is due to the fact that molecules in a hotter substance have more energy and move more rapidly, which causes them to collide more frequently with the molecules in the cooler substance, facilitating heat transfer.

While factors such as material density, surface area, and airflow rate can also impact heat transfer, the driving force behind the actual transfer of heat is the difference in temperature. As temperature differences increase, the rate of heat transfer also increases, making it the most crucial factor in determining how quickly heat moves from one area to another.