Which type of heat transfer is responsible for cooking the pancakes?

The primary type of heat transfer responsible for cooking pancakes is conduction.

Here's why:

* Conduction: Heat is transferred directly from the hot pan (or griddle) to the pancake batter. The molecules in the pan vibrate faster due to the heat, and these vibrations are transferred to the batter molecules, causing them to heat up.

* Convection: While a little bit of convection might occur, it's less significant. Convection involves heat transfer through the movement of fluids (like air or liquid). There might be some minor convection as the hot air above the pancake rises and cooler air replaces it.

* Radiation: Radiation involves heat transfer through electromagnetic waves. While the stove burner might emit some radiant heat, it's not the main way the pancake cooks.

In essence, the direct contact between the hot pan and the batter is the primary way the pancake cooks.