Heat Transfer - Convection

A series of free Science Lessons for 7th Grade and 8th Grade, KS3 and Checkpoint Science in preparation for GCSE and IGCSE Science.

Energy - Heat Transfer - Convection
Explain the process of heat transfer by convection.
Convection occurs in fluids (liquids and gases)
Fluids near the heat source gains energy, spreads out and becomes less dense. It then rises and gets replaced by more dense fluids. This then forms a convection current.

Demos to show Convection
A heated fluid will expand, increasing the volume, and decreasing the density so the heated fluid floats in its surroundings. When cooled the fluid will sink in its surroundings.
We find convection in earth’s mantle and believe it drives earth’s plates. Ocean currents are driven by convection. Our winds are driven by temperature differences that cause convection and thus air movement. Finally we believe that convection plays a role at the surface of the sun where its evidence is found in the granulation we see.

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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