In which scenario would conduction most likely occur?

Conduction occurs when heat is transferred through direct contact between materials. In the scenario with a metal pan on a burner, the burner heats the bottom of the pan, causing the heat to transfer directly through the metal of the pan due to the close proximity of the particles. The energy gained by the particles in the burner is transferred to the particles in the metal, raising the temperature of the pan.

In contrast, a flame heating the air involves convection, as hot air rises and cooler air moves in to take its place. Sunlight warming a rock is an example of radiation, where heat is transferred through electromagnetic waves without direct contact. A fan blowing air on a person also utilizes convective heat transfer, as it moves cooler air to help evaporate sweat and cool the skin. Thus, the direct contact and material properties of the metal pan and burner make conduction the predominant mechanism of heat transfer in that scenario.