How do atoms in a liquid transfer heat to nearby atoms?
On a molecular scale, thermal energy is the kinetic energy of
individual particles. In a liquid, this thermal energy is
transferred to nearby atoms by collisions; a high-speed particle in
the liquid collides with a lower-speed particle, transferring some
kinetic energy from the high-speed particle to the low-speed
particle. When this happens with a large number of particles,
thermal energy transfer results.