Heat is a form of energy that flows from hotter objects to cooler ones. It can be transferred through conduction, convection, or radiation. During conduction, heat transfers through direct contact of particles. Convection involves the circulation of currents in fluids (liquids and gases) from hotter to cooler regions. Radiation transfers heat through electromagnetic waves even without direct contact. Materials expand when heated and contract when cooled. Changes of state between solid, liquid, and gas occur at melting, boiling, condensation, and freezing points depending on temperature and pressure.