What primarily influences conduction?

Conduction is the process of heat transfer through direct contact between materials, and it is primarily influenced by temperature differences and the thermal conductivity of the materials involved. When two objects at different temperatures come into contact, heat will naturally flow from the warmer object to the cooler one until thermal equilibrium is reached. The rate at which this heat transfer occurs is significantly determined by the thermal conductivity of the materials; substances with high thermal conductivity, like metals, transfer heat more efficiently than those with low conductivity, like wood or fabric.

While factors like the weight of objects might affect how heat is distributed in certain contexts, or air pressure could influence certain physical properties of materials, they do not play a primary role in the conduction process itself. Similarly, while the color of materials can influence absorption and emission of thermal radiation, it does not impact conduction, which relies strictly on material contact and temperature differences. Thus, the correct answer centers on the pivotal role of temperature variations and the inherent thermal properties of the materials involved in conduction.