What Are Convection Currents?
Evidence of convection currents is abundant in both nature and many of the everyday activities that humans undertake. Simply put, convection currents allow for the transfer of heat from one place to another through the movement of fluids. Heated molecules in liquids and gases become less dense and rise while cooled molecules will become denser and sink. As the cooled molecules that sink heat up, they then rise, taking the place of previously heated air that has cooled, creating a pattern of movement called convection currents.
When this heat transfer naturally occurs, it is referred to as natural or free convection, and when mechanically induced, such as with a fan, is called forced convection. Here, we will look at some of the natural and forced occurrences of convection currents and how they explain this phenomenon.
