The heat does not transfer easily to air so the transfer is held back b … y these pockets and the heat is retained in the contained liquid or material. The atomic structure of ceramic accounts for its ability to retain heat due to the configuration of bound atoms or ions.hey can absorb energy through physical collisions with molecules of another object or medium (air, water), or through direct absorption of radiant energy. In either case, the molecules then increase their velocity and the object of which they are a part are said to become hotter, having absorbed heat.